Ruth “Nadine” Trachsel, 93 of Ottumwa, formerly of Milton passed away at 8:42AM Wednesday June 1, 2022 at Good Samaritan Society in Ottumwa.  Visitation with family present will be from 10:00AM – 11:00AM one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Funeral services will be at 11:00AM on Tuesday June 7, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Pastor Dan Smith officiating.  Attendees of the service are invited to wear red which was Nadine’s favorite color. Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Milton.  Memorials to The American Cancer Society may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 6 Ridgewood Lane, Iowa City, IA 52245.  Friends may leave condolences online at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Nadine was born on January 15, 1929 in Tulsa, OK to Lester Grant Sr. and Veneta E. Hargrove Findley.  The family lived in Tulsa until she was 6 years old then moved to Burgerville, Iowa near Milton.  She graduated from Milton High School in 1945, She met the love of her life in school, Alvin Russell Trachsel. They were married on August 8, 1946 in Milton, He passed away on April 7, 2015.  After graduating, Nadine worked at Loewenberg Bakery and Morrell’s both in Ottumwa.  Russell and Nadine settled on the family farm outside Milton.  That small farmhouse, was soon overflowing with laughter and fun.  Nadine and Russell raised 5 kids while taking care of lots of animals on the farm. Nadine supported all of her family members in all of their activities.  She helped the band boosters. She drove the 5 kids to cub-scouts, boy-scouts, swimming lessons, baseball, basketball, band practice, band or vocal contests, games and 4-H shows. All while still doing all the other farmer’s wife/house wife activities. 

   After their 5 children were a little older by the mid-1960’s she started also working outside the home again.   She worked as a secretary for the Milton Cantril Fox Valley Schools from 1968  until her retirement in 1991.  She was a former member of the Homemakers Club in Milton and a 4H volunteer for many years.

Throughout her life, with her wit and humor, Nadine brightened the day of everyone who met her.  She had a way of welcoming people into her family.  She always had love for everyone who came into the family and they were instantly family.

 Nadine enjoyed her retirement, spent time with her grandchildren, camping and traveling around the country meeting old friends and making new ones, with many of those travels to Branson Mo, Loughlin NV., and anyplace they felt like exploring.   During her later years her body slowed down but her zeal for having a good time and being around others who were having a good time didn’t wane.  She survived an amputation, COVID at age 92, a severe infection, an erratic memory, the loss of her husband, and daughter. Yet she remained feisty and funny thru all of that right up to the end until she passed.

 Left to cherish her memory are four sons, Mike Trachsel of Cantril, Ben Trachsel (Amy) of Iowa City, Tim Trachsel (Ping) of Fairview Heights, IL and Pat Trachsel (Faith) of Bloomfield, five grandchildren, Karlina Bakken (Sam) of Iowa City, John Trachsel of Iowa City, Jules Trachsel (Haley) of Ames, Joe Trachsel (Crystal) of Middle Amana and Matt Trachsel (Sharie) of Clive, six great-grandchildren, Rachael, Jacob, Tyler, Lincoln and Fiona Trachsel and Parker Ferolie  and many other relatives and friends.  In addition to parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca McCaw and a brother, Lester G. Findley Jr. 

Robert Feeney, 92, formerly of Winfield, died October 5, 2021 at his home in Texas.  A graveside inurnment will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday June 8, 2022 at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Those wishing to go in procession should meet at Elliott Chapel, New London by 1:30 PM.

Danny Kramer, age 74, of Philip, South Dakota and formerly of Burlington, Iowa, died unexpectedly, Saturday, February 1, 2020, in Chula Vista, California.

Danny Lee Kramer was born July 10, 1945, to Beryl and Lois Ross Kramer. He was raised on the family farm in New London, Iowa. After graduating from New London High School in 1963, he attended the American Business College in Rapid City, South Dakota where he met Linda Lee Long.  After dating for some time, the two decided their paths would go separate ways.  Linda later married John (Jack) Still in 1967, who passed away in a plane crash in 1968. Danny and Linda met again and rekindled their relationship.

In June 1970, Danny and Linda were married in Davenport, Iowa. During their careers, they had the opportunity to reside in a number of states, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Washington and California. During his career, Danny achieved significant success at General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC).  After beginning with GMAC in Carthage, Illinois, Danny was promoted to the Moline, Illinois branch in 1975.

In 1981, Danny bought his first personal computer and shortly thereafter taught himself how to write computer software.  He utilized his skills to voluntarily automate processes within GMAC.  After utilizing some of his newly created programs nationwide, GMAC promoted Danny to Executive Office of General Motors in Detroit, Michigan.  He continued having considerable success with GMAC and was subsequently promoted to branch manager in positions in Seattle, Washington and Highland, California.

Following retirement, Danny and Linda moved from Moorpark, California to Burlington, Iowa. In 2007, they purchased a motor home so they could spend more time visiting family and friends around the country. In June 2012, they sold their home in Burlington to follow their dream of becoming fulltime RV’ers. God called Linda home on April 6, 2013 and Danny continued his adventures as a fulltime RV’er.  Prior to his passing, Danny enjoyed sharing time with Linda Smith of New London, Iowa.

Grateful for having shared Danny’s life include his son, John (Tonya) Kramer of Philip, South Dakota; his son, Jason (Penelope) Kramer of Corona, California; five grandchildren, Coy, Corbin and Colden (Philip); Kaylee and Zachery (Corona); sister, Vicky (Walt) Schuttler of Bettendorf, Iowa; sister, Kathy (Richard) Villhauer of Iowa City, Iowa; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Visitation for Mr. Kramer will be held from 11:00 – 11:30 AM, Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Procession to Winfield Scott Cemetery, Winfield, Iowa will immediately follow.  Pastor Chris Hinkle will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.