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 9^th 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 57^th 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 65^th 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 will be 11:30 AM Wednesday April 13, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Durand with Rev. Paul Bosco officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery with military rites provided by the Durand American Legion, Post 181.

Visitation will be 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.

Condolences

1. Lisa Rand-Thibeau August 4, 2016, at 6:45pm

   Aunt Bunny and Family: I just found out that uncle Bobby had passed away a few months ago. (I was staying with Katy in March and we spoke of his being in a care facility then.) I hope that in the short time he has been in Heaven you have been able to start healing. You (especially aunt Bunny) are in my thoughts and prayers. I imagine that Bobby and his nephew, my late husband, John Thibeau are having a good time reliving stories the family farms with the other family members there to welcome Bobby "home", including John who love his uncle so much! Bunny, thank you for having us into your home the 2 times we came to visit after we were married. Those will always be special memories for me. Love, Lisa

2. Katy Mosier April 13, 2016, at 7:28am

   Aunt Bunny and Family:
   Uncle Bobby was always held high in our household because of who he was and because Mom loved him so. I am sorry for your loss. Love, Katy

3. David j. Prissel April 12, 2016, at 10:14am

   Sorry to hear of Bob's passing, prayers for him and all the family from the Prissel family

4. Ron & Ann Krueger April 12, 2016, at 9:19am

   To the Traun family, we are sorry for your loss, sounds like you dad was a good man and lived a good life, now he's front row at the Packer games,
   Best wishes to all your family

5. Dennis Brantner April 11, 2016, at 10:41pm

   Bob was a very good friend. I always enjoyed hearing him tell his hunting and fishing stories. He will be greatly missed.

6. Dick & Jan Bates April 11, 2016, at 9:33pm

   Family of Bob Traun:
   Sorry for your loss. Bob always had a smile and a kind word whenever I saw him. We will remember him in our prayers

   Dick & Jan

7. Larson Bob April 11, 2016, at 9:01pm

   Bob was a great friend and class-mate at Durand High. Best wishes to all his family and friends.
   Bob Larson

8. mark brommer April 11, 2016, at 7:07pm

   I am sorry for the loss od Bob traun sr. Me and my dad would go for rides down cascade and admire the Traun farm. Growing up in urne country it was always nice to drive past his farm on nice day.

9. Nick Brantner April 11, 2016, at 3:05pm

   To the Traun family, Bob was a great friend to the entire Brantner family. He was a very generous man and he will be greatly missed by us all. I am pretty sure he was met at the pearly gates by my grandparents with a fishing pole and a deck of cards in hand. RIP Big Bob

10. Joan Traun Burke April 11, 2016, at 2:11pm

    Sorry for your loss. Prayers from South Georgia going up. Remembering Bob & Bunnys visit to our home and how great it was to see them and talk of times when I was still living in Wisconsin. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.

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