John L Traeger

Mankato Mortuary
507-388-2202

John L. Traeger, long time Mankato resident, died at his home on Monday, January 17, 2011.

Funeral service will be on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Rev. Eugene Glade and Rev. Norman Heidorn officiating. Visitation will be at Our Savior's Lutheran Church fireside room on Thursday, January 20 from 4-7 p.m. as well as one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at the church. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

John was born in Mankato on December 24 to John and Ida (Lehnert) Traeger. John graduated from Mankato High School and went immediately to serve in the Navy during World War II. He spent roughly four years in the Navy, of which 20 months were spent in the Pacific serving near Guam. He arrived home on Christmas Day after serving overseas.

He married Eileen Schumann on July 12, 1958 in Eyota, Minnesota. They recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen; his children, Julie (Bob, Jr.) Lilly of Dallas, TX, Jack (Lisa) Traeger of Dallas, TX, Lisa Traeger of London, UK, and Beth (Leo) Fernandez of Chanhassen; 12 grandchildren, Rob Traeger, Andrew Traeger, Caroline Traeger, Madeleine Traeger, Jackson Traeger, Clare Traeger, Mikaela Fernandez, Grace Fernandez, Alex Fernandez, Eli Fernandez, Robert (Beau) Lilly III and Brandon Lilly; sister, Lucille Caldwell of Nitro, West Virginia; cousins, Eleanor (Gordon) Velzke of Faribault and Marcella Fredell of Richfield; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ida Traeger; brother, Harold (Trig) Traeger and his wife, Rose; brother-in-law, Carney Caldwell; and sister, Lorraine (Gordon) Anderson.