Dale Traudt

Dale E. Traudt, age 55, owner of Traudt Aerial Service of Aurora died Friday night, July 30, 1999.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday at the Aurora Airport Hangar. Rev. Al Duminy will officiate. Interment will be in Sutton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 7:30 P.M., Tuesday at Higby Mortuary, with a Family Prayer Service to follow. Memorials can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church and PAASS (Professional Aerial Application Support System).

OBITUARY: DALE E. TRAUDT

Dale Eugene Traudt, the son of Paul and Catherine “Katy” (Helzer) Traudt, was born in Eldorado, Nebraska on May 14, 1944 and died near Giltner, Nebraska on July 30, 1999, at the age of 55 years, 2 months and 16 days.

He graduated from Sutton High School in 1962. He attended Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Western Nebraska Vocational Tech in Sidney where he obtained his Airframe and Power Plant airplane mechanic license. He enlisted in 1964 in the Nebraska Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve for six years.

He married Joleen Salmen on August 31, 1966 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sutton, Nebraska. They lived in Lincoln, Chappell, Kearney and Grand Island before moving to Aurora in 1974. Dale and Joleen were blessed with three children Jill, Darcie and Matthew. Dale enjoyed life and cherished his family. He also enjoyed vacations, skiing, hunting and fishing trips.

Dale obtained his private pilot’s license in 1968, and later received his commercial and instrument licenses and multi-engine rating. He was a truck driver and worked for Werner Construction and later for Aviation Services in Grand Island as an aircraft mechanic. In 1973, he along with his dad, Paul, and his brother-in-law John Robbins formed Sutton Aerial Services. Later the name was changed to Traudt Aerial Services. After moving to Aurora, Dale opened an airplane mechanic shop and served as airport manager until his death.

Dale was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church, American Legion, NFAI (Nebraska Fertilizer and Ag-Chemical Institute), Aurora Chamber of Commerce and lifetime member of NAAA (National Aviation Agricultural Association). He served on various committees and boards on the national level including traveling to Washington, D.C. At present he was serving as Director of NAAREF (National Agricultural Aviation Research & Education Foundation). Dale was also a very active supporter of PAASS through personal input as well as participation in committee and education programs. PAASS is an Industry supported program which promotes safety, proliferates the exchange of ideas and promotes an overall professional image of the industry. He was also a lifetime member of NATA (Nebraska Aviation Trade Association) where he served as Vice President, Treasurer and Board Member. He was awarded Airman of the Year in 1995 and received the President’s Award in 1996. He was actively involved in legislative affairs.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Traudt.

He is survived by his wife Joleen, two daughters; Jill (Doug) Feekin of Papillion and Darcie (Daryl) Wendt of Omaha; one son, Matthew (Danielle) Traudt of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Ashley, Brian and Chelsey Feekin; his mother, Catherine Traudt of Sutton; five sisters, Mary (John) Robbins of Kearney, Cathy Traudt of Sutton, Carol (Ken D.) Griess of Sutton, Paula (Marv) Teetor of Omaha and Patty (Todd) Leininger of Sutton; many other relatives.