Marvin Frederick Traptow

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marvin Frederick Traptow at the age of 81.  He is survived and will be greatly missed by his sister Elaine Baker (partner Duff Layton); niece Erin Jolly (Garth); nephew Eric Baker (Melissa); nephew Dane Baker (Tara); great-nephews Austin, Jake, Blake, and Luke; aunts Helen and Selma; and numerous cousins, friends, and neighbors.

He was predeceased by his father Fred in 1981, his sister Marion in 1992, and his mother Elsie in 2013.

Marvin was born on April 24, 1944.  He lived his entire life, aside from the past few months, on ‘the farm’ west of Bashaw.  He loved the farm life from the time he was very young. When he decided that he did not want to finish his grade twelve and farm full time instead, his father insisted that he go to Olds Agricultural School where he graduated near the top of his class and made lifelong friends.  He eventually gave up his cattle after being kicked one too many times by a calving cow and then rented out his land a few years later in 2005, rather than investing in an air drill.

He loved to fish in the summer and the winter, with his fishing trips to the coast and Saskatchewan being highlights of his year. The fishpond he dug on the farm in 1982 provided a lot of fun for many people of all ages.  He also enjoyed curling, hunting, camping ‘out west’, jet boating, and entertaining in his shop.  What he enjoyed most about these activities was the friends he did them with - and he had many. 

He will be remembered as being a smiling, generous man and his parting words of wisdom were to “Enjoy your life like I did”. 

A celebration of his life will be held at his farm, the place he loved the best, on Friday, June 6. Open house from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. with reflections and storytelling at 2:30 p.m..

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions can be made to Marvin’s favorite charities – STARS and the Alberta Cancer Foundation - or charity of choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marvin Frederick Traptow, please visit our floral store.