Norma Ruth Coquelin Trauth was born June 30th, 1928 in St. Louis, to Laurence and Nora Coquelin. She grew up with two sisters in the suburb of St. John where she attended Home Heights School and Presbyterian Church. She was a humble Christian and her life reflected God’s love in every way.
Intelligent and athletic, she pursued a lifetime interest in medicine, learned to play the mandolin, gained a love for plants and flowers (especially roses) from her father (a florist), acquired a taste for shopping/fashion from her mother, and was an avid Cardinal fan. She studied at Deaconess School of Nursing where she was the captain of their women’s basketball team and second academically only to her cousin. She and her mother served as a candy striper during WWII. She was a member of the Greatest Generation, surviving the Great Depression and a World War.
On April Fool’s Day 1950, she married Richard Trauth, who was in her words, love at first sight. They were married 70 years. Together, they raised one son and three daughters in Overland, Mo. Over the years, she worked as a secretary/medical assistant in doctor offices. She loved antiquing, fishing, gardening and outdoor life. In their retirement, she and Richard purchased a small, family farm in Truxton, MO where they lived for 34 years. During those years, they enjoyed farm life, and made friends in the surrounding community, and worshiped at Jonesburg Methodist church. She and Richard loved dogs and owned a variety of shepherd, beagle and cockapoo companions on the farm.
Upon Richard’s death in 2020 at the age of 95, she moved in with her daughter, Renee, and her husband, Tim, in their home in Innsbrook, where she lived in great comfort until her death. She passed into Glory on Feb 9, 2025.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard Trauth; two sisters Evelyn Wardenburg and June Linebaugh. She is survived by her four children Stephen Trauth and wife Heidi, Susan Merrick and husband Marty, Ronda Novak and husband Joe, Renee Cody and husband Tim; 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Saturday, February 15, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Pitman Funeral Home in Warrenton. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Jonesburg City Cemetery, Jonesburg. Memorials can be made to Wags and Whiskers in care of Pitman Funeral Home.
