Leona I Trautner

Leona Trautner, age 84, of Mahnomen, MN died Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota. Leona Irene was born on April 10, 1926 to Felix and Alma (Bisson) Brisbois in rural Mahnomen County. She grew up in Mahnomen and lived at the boarding house her senior year until she graduated from Mahnomen High School. Her step father, Leonard, joined the family when Leona was a just teenager and played an important part in her life. Leona married Harvey Stuvland in 1945 and they lived in Seattle, WA where she worked at the Boeing plant to support the war effort. She was a “Rosie the Riveter” and because of her small size she could crawl through the fuselage to wire the planes. Leona met Ed Trautner, while working at the Red Apple Café in Mahnomen. Leona and Ed were married on February 16, 1949. They were visited every year by relatives from near and far, you were never a distant relative. All the way down to great-great-great nieces and nephews who would come to visit Auntie Leona, especially at the annual “Roy Lake Rendezvous” on the farm. Leona worked various other jobs in addition to her “chores” as a farmer’s wife. She worked at the Roy Lake Lodge and then for many years at the “Dime Store” in Mahnomen. Leona enjoyed baking and was known for her caramel rolls, apple strudel and wedding cakes. Over the years, she baked countless loaves of bread, cakes and cookies. Leona was also the neighborhood barber for many years. Ed passed away in 2005 and Leona continued to live on the farm until her death. She was always going someplace: either to visit people, to have lunch at the Center, to play bingo, or could be found at the Casino trying her luck-where she expected to win every time and usually did. She put many miles on her car every year, a lot more than most teenagers these days. Leona was loved by the neighborhood kids and she especially loved her second family- the Snobl’s, they call her “Ma” and Ed was “Pa”. They were always visiting and helping in good times and bad. Steve Snobl was their guardian angel, it was his help that made it possible for them, and later, Leona, to stay on the farm. It didn’t matter what the time of night or the weather- if they needed help- he was there. Leona’s family is forever grateful to Steve. Leona is survived by three sons: Louis (Theresa) Stuvland of Sabin, MN, Michael (Zita) Trautner of Van Dyne, WI and Bill (Mary) Trautner of Moorhead, MN; four daughters: Sharon (Gene) Jurgens of Fergus Falls, MN, Renee (Randy) Dickhaus of Hawley, MN, Paula (Joe) Reichel of Louisville, CO and Jackie (John) Agnew of Sisseton, SD; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Michelle) Pawlitschek of Lengby, MN and Curtis (Rhonda) Pawlitschek of McIntosh, MN; and her sister-in-law, Felicia Darco of Fort Collins, CO; as well as her Snobl family. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed; daughter, Judy Trautner; her mother, Alma; step father, Leonard; father, Felix; five sisters: Ora, Babe, Lorraine, Alma and Fern; and two brothers, Felix Jr. and Glenn. Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30am on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN. Officiants were Father Jerry Orsino and Father Bob Leising, OMI. Organist was Lori Handyside with Lindsay Riechel, Nikki Reichel and Mary Ann Brisbois providing special music. Urn bearer was Steve Snobl. Visitation was held at Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen on Friday, October 29, 2010 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a prayer service followed by a rosary at 6:30 pm. Josh Trautner provided special music selections and the rosary was led by Joe Reichel. Visitation was also one hour prior the service at the church on Saturday. Inurnment was at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery in Naytahwaush, MN.

Leona I Trautner

April 10, 1926 - October 27, 2010