Victor Traut

Victor J. Traut, age 84 of Sauk Centre, died Sunday, August 30, 2015 at CentreCare Health Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, September 4 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. Greg Paffel will officiate with Rev. Ken Riedemann and Rev. Todd Schneider concelebrating. Burial will follow in St. Paul's Cemetery, Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus rosary at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand guard from 6 to 8 p.m. during the visitation Thursday evening.

Vic Traut was born on January 5, 1931 in LeSauk Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Martin and Susan (Weyer) Traut. He received his high school diploma from Cathedral High School and went on to St. Cloud State University, majoring in science and mathematics.

He worked at St. Regis paper mill in Sartell prior to serving four years in the Air Force. He married Lorrayne Warzecka on May 30, 1955 and spent the next 32 years as a teacher in Chokio and Sauk Centre.

Along with his teaching career, Vic was known as "Trapper Traut" having spent many hours trapping critters, many of which were a nuisance to the landowner. He also instructed young folks in the art of trapping, setting traps skillfully and efficiently. He was a lifetime member of the National Trappers Association and the National Rifle Association.

Vic earned a private pilot's license and served as secretary/treasurer of the Long Prairie Flying Club. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He received the Paul Harris award from Rotary and was a member of the Sauk River Watershed Board.

Vic was active in supporting Life as a member of the National Right to Life, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, and Pro-Life America. His membership in the American Legion was on-going.

Vic was very proud of his Catholic faith. He was committed to his role on the parish council and the finance committee and faithfully served as Eucharistic minister. He and Lorrayne prepared engaged couples for marriage through their Sponsor Couple training. He was a member of BeFriender ministry as he continued to befriend persons until the time of his death. His involvement in the Knights of Columbus was a high priority as he held the offices of Grand Knight and Navigator and was installed as Scribe for the Fourth Degree Knights the evening before his death.

He was a regular visitor to S.N.A.P. Fitness to get his daily exercise and to visit with his friends. In his younger years he participated in 5K's and 10K's and usually came in first or second place in his age group. He and Lorrayne enjoyed traveling in and out of the country. They especially enjoyed their trips to the Holy Land and their many cruises.

Vic is survived by his wife, Lorrayne: children: Teresa (Donovan) Elavsky of Akeley; Terence (Cathy) of Merrimack, NH; Kristi (Rob) Streff of Wyoming, MN; grandchildren: Lucas and Andrew Winkler, Katie Carbone and Peggy Traut, Sam and Leah Streff; step-grandchildren, John and Jordan Elavsky; and great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Jasmine Winkler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Greg Winkler; siblings Al, Melvin, Marvin, and Valeria Jefferson; and many in-laws.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Family School, 231 Sinclair Lewis Avenue, Sauk Centre, MN 56378.