Ruth & Gene Trautman Service
January 25, 1920 — August 31, 2013
Ruth Trautman, age 92, of Cooperstown, ND passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown. Eugene Trautman, age 92, of Cooperstown, ND passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown.
Ruth was born January 25, 1920 the daughter of Herbert A. and Effie (Briggs) Norton. She grew up and was educated in Medina, graduating from Medina High School in 1939. Gene was born to Jacob and Christine (Fisher) Trautman on March 1, 1921 on the family homestead near Goldwyn and Woodworth, ND. He was the youngest of ten children. He graduated from Medina High School in 1940.
The couple was united in marriage on November 28, 1941 in Fargo, ND. After their marriage they lived in Medina and Jamestown. Ruth worked for several years as a nurse's aide in the Jamestown Hospital and Gene worked several different jobs in Medina and Jamestown. In 1956 they purchased a photography studio in Cooperstown and moved there with their three children. For the next 28 years, Ruth and Gene operated "Gene's Studio" in Cooperstown. It is estimated that Gene and Ruth photographed close to 1000 weddings during their career. They retired in 1983 and spent winters in Arizona until 2003.
Ruth and Gene are survived by their children: Jan (Sheridan) Erickson and David (Truley) Trautman, both Cooperstown, and Larry (Cory) Trautman of Jamestown, , 7 grandchildren, Shannon (Becky) Erickson, Angela Cecil, Ryan (Cindy) Erickson, Craig (Jane) & Bryan Trautman, Trevor (Michelle) Trautman and Tracy Entzi, 11 great grandchildren, Seth & Alec Erickson, Chris (Brooke) Cecil & Cody Cecil, Harley & Dusty Erickson, Caleb & Conor Trautman, Jarin & Carson Entzi and Jenna Trautman, step great-great granddaughter Cienna Cecil, sister-in-law, Barb Norton of Jamestown, and many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 6 sisters.
A celebration of life for Ruth and Gene will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Cooperstown on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 2:00 PM.
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