TRAUTMAN Mr. Clarence “Howard” Trautman of Rimbey, Alberta passed away surrounded by his family, at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Rimbey on Monday, January 2, 2006 at the age of 76 years, following a long and well-fought battle with cancer. Howard was born on September 8, 1929 on the family farm west of Rimbey, where he was raised and worked with his family to make a living using the land and livestock. He took special interest in raising American Saddlebred Horses, which spanned his lifetime work of over forty years. Howard not only raised and trained these fine creatures, but traveled many miles across Canada and the U.S.A. to stables and shows, sometimes discovering potential championship stock. He enjoyed teaching his children the fine art of showing, which then expanded into an interest in judging shows, as well as being an inspector for the Golden Saddlebred. Howard met and was later united in marriage to a young nurse, Iva Louise Gibbons on December 15, 1954. Gibby, as she was fondly known, worked side by side on the farm with Howard while maintaining her nursing position, until the birth of their first daughter, Lana in 1958. They later increased the family to four children, with the subsequent arrivals of Mark (1960), Larry (1963), and Kathleen (1965). As the family farm flourished with hard work, sweat, and tears, Howard and Gibby were able to explore the world ~ first by checking out the local campgrounds, and then by enjoying trips to Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean cruises. After losing Gibby to cancer in 1988, Howard struggled with finding a new love in his life where his previous interests waned, but he then focused on his love for camping and hockey. His last few years were spent anxiously waiting for the arrival of leaves on the trees, so that he could break his trailer out of the shed and park it at his permanent spot at Sunset Campground. Once the leaves fell in the autumn, he then eagerly awaited that first scrape of his grandkid’s hockey skates out on the ice, for those ~ ‘oh, so exciting’ hockey matches. Even while he was too weak to be at home, Howard would get dressed and wait in the hospital lobby for Larry or Mark to pick him up for the next game, in or out of town. Howard will be forever remembered for his quick wit, his humor, and his grit determination to get things done. He will be deeply missed. Howard leaves to celebrate and cherish his memory, his four children: Lana (Gord) Cadsand; Mark (Kim) Trautman; and Larry (Ann Marie) Trautman, all of Rimbey; and Kathy (Bill) Rab of Edmonton; as well as his nine grandchildren: Mathew, Lisa, Ashlee, Alysha, Camille, Monica, Darryl, Jessica, and Sylvia; and one great grandson, Brady. He will also be lovingly remembered by his sisters, Alice Cummings of Rimbey; Pat (Dan) Praud; and Irene Stephenson, all of Calgary; his brother, Ed Trautman of Bentley; his sisters-in-law, Agnes, Lucy, Norma and Shirley; and his brother-in-law, Glen (Vi) Gibbons of Vermilion. Howard will also be missed by his special friend of ten years, Mary Carver of Bentley; his uncle, Herb (Mabel) Schrader of Rimbey; his aunt, Linda Herchak of Calgary; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Gibby; his parents, Bill and Mary Trautman; his grandson, Kyle Cadsand; two brothers, John and Vic; and one sister, Elsie Vergo. Funeral Services in Celebration of Howard’s Life will be held at the Rimbey United Church, Rimbey on Monday, January 9, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. with the Reverend Deborah Laing and the Reverend Toby Wong officiating. Interment will follow in the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Howard’s Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0; or to the Canadian Cancer Society; 4730A Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 9Z9. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@ telusplanet.net Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the Late Mr. Clarence “Howard” Trautman entrusted to the care of OBERHAMMER FUNERAL CHAPELS LTD. Rimbey, Alberta Telephone (403) 843-4445