Robert John Traurig, 87, a resident of Frederic, Wisconsin, passed away on Jan. 15, 2024, at the Westfield Hospital in New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Robert was born on Feb. 13, 1936, in Burholme, Pennsylvania, to parents Adolph and Anna (Murphy) Traurig.
Robert worked as a refiner operator at the RockTenn/WestRock Papermill for many years.
Robert married his childhood sweetheart, Virginia Ash, on May 21, 1955, at the Catholic church in Elkton, Maryland. Together they had four children and in 1971 they moved the family to St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2015 they moved to the countryside of Frederic.
Robert had many friends from his many and varied interests. When he was young, he loved shooting sports and gunsmithing, he was a boater, had a trapline, was a hunter and enjoyed his hunting dogs, loving all things that got him outside. He retired and became the best hockey and football pop-pop, rarely missing a game. Robert was a great mechanic, ensuring that Mom never got a new washer or dryer! His mechanical ability led to a new hobby of hit-and-miss engines, how he loved to get an old one running like new. He loved model trains and had an elaborate town setup that he shared with all of his grandkids and great-grandkids. Later, they moved, and his apple orchard became a new hobby, offering free apples in exchange for apple crisp.
Throughout his life, his most steady loves were his wife and his love of motorcycles. He was a charter member of the Fossils MC, who have become family to him. He never went anywhere alone because he always found a friend.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; and parents, Adolph and Anna.
He will be forever missed by his children, Deborah (Vaughn) Nagahashi, Ruthie (Todd) Picton, Patricia (Paul) Stehr and Daniel Kevin (Jan) Traurig; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; along with many friends.
The visitation for Robert will be held at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Siren, Wisconsin, on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10-11:00 a.m. The funeral service will start 11 a.m. with Deacon Stan Marczak officiating. Interment will follow at St. Dominic’s Cemetery in Frederic, with Robert’s grandsons as the pallbearers.
There will be celebration of Robert’s life held at the Sundown Saloon in Lewis following the service.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
