Helmut "Rolf" Rudolf Trautwein

FARMINGTON - Helmut Rudolf "Rolf" Trautwein of Farmington, formerly of Valles Mines, was received peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at the age of 98 years 11 months and 7 days. He was born Sunday, May 16, 1915 in the City of Schneidemuhl in the former Posen Province of Northeastern Germany, son of the late Otto Wilhelm and Emma Louise (Hermann) Trautwein. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved bride of 71 years, Erika Christel (Kroeling) Trautwein and his brother Walter Trautwein. Rolf was a devout Christian and was united at an early age to the Evangelische Johanneskirche (St. John Evangelic Church) of Schneidemuhl, Germany. On February 22, 1941, at the Evangelische Stadtkirche (City Church) of Schneidemuhl, he was united in marriage to Erika Christel Kroeling, who preceded him in death on May 9, 2012. Rolf & Erika were blessed with a son Hartmut E. "Art" Trautwein, who survives. As with all young men of his generation in Germany, Rolf was pressed into service by the German government during World War II and served in the lower divisions of the Waffen SS for the duration of the war. Following the war, Rolf, along with his wife and, son, fled the Communist advance from the Northeast of Germany to the South near Munich where he found employment at the BMW factory. It was here that Rolf & Erika, having been displaced from their home and living in a part of Germany where the customs and dialect were unfamiliar to them, decided to leave Germany. They considered Australia, Canada, and South America, before deciding on the United States. In May of 1953 Rolf immigrated to the United States with his family and became a U. S. Citizen. They made their home in St. Louis, where Rolf found employment with the Famous-Barr Company as a bonded jewel courier, from where he later retired. After both he and Erika retired, they moved from St. Louis and built a home near Valles Mines where they remained until declining health forced them move to Farmington where they could be better taken care of. Rolf or "Opa", as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, was a strong and proud spirit, full of wisdom and set with a deep appreciation for God's creation. He took pride in his work, enjoyed gardening, collecting herbs, and tending his bee hives. He found great comfort and joy in the companionship of his wife Erika, his family, and spiritual strength in his unbent faith in Jesus Christ. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him, including his son Hartmut E. "Art" Trautwein and wife Shirley of Potosi, three grandchildren, Erich A. "Rick" Trautwein and wife Jessica of Valles Mines, Mark E. Trautwein and wife Sherril of Valles Mines, and Angela C. Weiss and husband Patrick of Farmington; eight great-grandchildren, Crystal (Trautwein) Tedder, Erich Trautwein, Tanner Trautwein, Erika Weiss, Sarah Trautwein, Emma Weiss, Abbey Weiss, and Levi Trautwein, three step grandchildren: John Weiss, Desiree Smith, and Kimberly Smith; two great-great grandchildren Averi Trautwein and Wade Tedder, and many other relatives, friends and neighbors, both here and in Germany, also survive. The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory with a funeral service to follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery at Bismarck. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory. View tribute video, share your memories, leave online condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com Interment Service

St. John Lutheran Cemetery

Friday, April 25, 2014 Bismarck, MO Directions Visitation

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, April 25, 2014 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions Funeral Service

Cozean Memorial Chapel & Crematory

Friday, April 25, 2014 02:00 PM 217 W. Columbia St. Farmington, MO 63640 Directions