Nadine Trachsel Obituary (1929 - 2022)

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, Shari Ferolie (Jim), of Verona, Wisconsin, 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.