Robert J. Traun

Robert J. Traun age 85 of Nelson, died Sunday April 10, 2016 at the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand.
Bob was born June 6, 1930 to Edward and Christine (Hettrick) Traun on the “Traun Bluff”, Buffalo County, on the home farm. He attended Traun Bluff School until the 9th grade when his parents moved to Durand. Bob then attended St. Mary’s School for two years and graduated from Durand High School in 1949. He worked for Fisher Well Drilling until he was drafted by the Army in 1950. Bob married Bernice “Bunny” Brunner April 5, 1951 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church-Lima, while on a furlough from the service. Bob spent 17 months in Germany as a tank driver in the 57th Tank Battalion and was honorably discharge December 13, 1952, and returned to Durand.
Bob & Bunny started farming on a small farm east of Durand, then to Traun Bluff on his parent’s farm. In 1963 they moved to their current home in the Cascade Valley. For a short while they owned T-Birds bar in Durand but returned to the farm, where with the help of their children improved the farm.
Bob was a progressive farmer. He loved his family, church, farm, sports of all kinds, fishing, hunting, and attending his children and grandchildren’s activities. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Durand and the Knights of Columbus. His dream was to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary, which he did while he was in the hospital.
Bob is survived by his wife, Bernice “Bunny”, a daughter, Robyn Villeneuve, of Grand Rapids, MN; two sons, Mark (Rhonda) of Menomonie and their son, Zachary, Bob (Cheryl) of Nelson, and their children, Chad (Haylie) of Nelson, Derek (Jenna) of Durand, Vanessa (Jeff) Olsen of Durand; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Jillian, Saige, Dominik and Brecken; a sister, Irene (Ken Bleum) Brion of Durand, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law, Gene Villeneuve, one brother, John (Anna) Traun; seven sisters, Mildred (Fred) Berger, Lucy (Hugh) Thibeau, Esther (Carl) Harmon, Rose (Leo) Schwab, Marion (Bernard) Schwab, Eleanor (Bernard) Luebker, Betty (Clarence) Luebker; a brother-in-law, Louis Brion.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Rucker and his staff at the Durand Clinic South and the staff of the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand.
Funeral services were held at 11:30 AM Wednesday April 13, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand with Rev. Paul Bosco officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery with military rites provided by the Durand American Legion, Post 181.
Visitation was held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the Rhiel Funeral Home in Durand and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Durand is serving the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.