Lois Jean Traunero, 83, of Industrial Ave., Tiffin, died at 7:05 pm, Saturday, March 1, 2008, at her residence.
She was born December 3, 1924, in North Canton, Ohio, to the late Otto James and Hildegarde (Wasserman) Smith. On October 27, 1951, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fremont, she married Robert Joseph Traunero, who survives. She lived in Tiffin all her married life.
Also surviving are four daughters, Nancy Kiser of Tiffin; Susan (Robert) Rupert of Bozeman, Montana; Janet (Dr. Steven) Fudge of Sylvania; & Marla (James) Lang of Tiffin; three sons, John (Patricia) Traunero of Greer, South Carolina; Paul (Carda) Traunero of Oak Hill, Virginia; and Richard (Andrea) Traunero of Tiffin; 19 grandchildren, Monica, Erica, Gregory, & Matthew Kiser; Christopher, Aaron, & Nicholas Rupert; Allison & Benjamin Fudge; Dr. Justin (Dr. Lisa) Traunero, Kelsey Traunero; Kelly, Christine, Melissa, & Abby Lang; Lucas & Juliana Traunero; and Robert & Cassandra Traunero; three brothers, Windsor (Janearlene) Smith of Westlake, Ohio; Larry Smith of Vickery, Ohio; and Kenneth (Jane) Smith of Fremont; two sisters, Kathleen (Marlin) Vickery of Bellevue, and Elizabeth Growel of Huron.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Keegan, and a grandson, Jason A. Kiser.
Mrs. Traunero was a 1942 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in Fremont, and a 1946 graduate of The Ohio State University. She had worked as an Extension Home Economics Agent in Lawrence County, Ohio, as an Assistant State 4-H Club Leader in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as a Child Welfare Caseworker at the Seneca County Welfare Department, and as a teacher in Hilliard and Tiffin. She retired from the Tiffin City Schools in 1983, after 13 years there as a Visiting Teacher and Attendance Officer. Since 1997, she had assisted in operations at the Traunero Funeral Home.
She was a member of the Seneca County Home Economics Association for more than 50 years. She was also a member of both the Seneca County and the Ohio Retired Teachers Associations. She was elected to membership in and was a life member of Phi Upsilon Omicron and Omicron Nu, both home economics honorary societies. During her working years she held various offices and was active in Community Council, Hospice, Family Counseling, the County Extension Advisory Committee, and United Way. She was one of the founders of the Tiffin-Seneca Child Care Center.
She served 25 years as a 4-H Advisor and was honored with Sandusky County, State of Ohio, and National 4-H Alumni Awards. She was on the state board that established the Ohio 4-H Foundation. For many years she was a judge at the Seneca County Fair and judged 4-H and Girl Scout exhibits and events.
Mrs. Traunero was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, its Rosary Altar Society, the Legion of Mary, and was a long time Funeral Lunch Committee worker.
A Funeral Mass will be 11:00 am Thursday, March 6, 2008 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin, with Rev. David M. Ross and Rev. Joseph Szybka con-celebrating. A Rosary will be recited in Church 15 minutes prior to the Mass.
Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Tiffin.
Friends and family may call 2-8 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Traunero Funeral Home, 214 S. Monroe St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. There will be a Parish Wake Service at 7:45 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice in care of Traunero Funeral Home.
