Dick Traxler

Obituary Notice
L.A. "Dick" Traxler

Dick Traxler, 87, of Pine Island, died Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Seasons Hospice in Rochester. He was born to Frank and Lillian (Dolezal) Traxler in St. Paul on September 27, 1922. He graduated from Cannon Falls High School in 1940. After two years at Winona State he joined the Marine Corps., where he served his country in Midway as a gunner on a fighter plane.
In 1946 he married Valeria Breuer at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Deer River, MN. They made their home in Winona, where he continued his education. Dick was an outstanding athlete excelling in football. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History and Physical Education. His first teaching job was in St. Charles, MN from 1948-1964. In 1952 he contracted polio and was confined to a wheelchair the remainder of his life. In 1959 he was in the first class of Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling. He began working in the Rochester School system in 1964 and remained there until retiring in 1980.
Dick was rarely idle. He had many hobbies, which included his best legacy, the furniture he made for family and friends. The family had a cabin on Big Island Lake in Northern Minnesota.
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Val; daughters, Lynda (Norm) Nordstrom, Mary (Nils) Anderson, and Teresa Wick; son-in-law, Jim Murray; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Becky Murray, and three siblings.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Sunday October 18, 2009 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Mahler Chapel in Pine Island. Burial will be at Pine Island Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.