Obituary for Jennifer S. Traff

Jennifer Sue Traff, age 73, was called to her heavenly home while her sisters were visiting with her on November 13, 2024 at the Tweeten Nursing Home in Spring Grove, MN. She was born February 3, 1951 in La Crosse, WI to Everett Charles and Phyllis Rowena (Vodraska) Traff.

Jennifer grew up in Brownsville, MN where she attended Elementary School and in 1971 graduated from the Caledonia High School, in Caledonia, MN. Jennifer was one of the first to live in the home built in 1980 by Houston County Group Home, Inc. (now known as A.B.L.E., Inc.) She lived there for several years and then moved to her own apartment where she enjoyed her independence. She was employed by the Ability Building Community (ABC) for 41 years, 8+ months, starting on March 7, 1983. Before that she was employed by the ORC in La Crosse, WI and also delivered newspapers on a paper route with her family. During her employment at ABC, she worked at Woodland Industries of Caledonia, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse in the Food Service department, and most recently ABC Works in Caledonia. She was a very dedicated employee and never liked to miss work.

She was a proud fan of the Caledonia Warriors. She also was a faithful fan of the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Gophers. In her younger years she was a social butterfly, loved music and dancing, her favorite local band was the Denstad Band. She loved soap operas, so much so that she went on a Soap Opera Cruise and met many of the stars.

Jennifer loved all children, especially her nieces and nephews and their children. She babysat when she was younger and any baby lucky enough to be held by her would enjoy the comfort of her embrace for hours. Jennifer always had a smile on her face and compassion in her heart. She loved to work, read, watch TV, and listen to music, accumulating quite a large record and CD collection over the years. Jennifer had a heart of gold, everyone she met she remembered and were her friend, and she had a great sense of humor and wit. Jennifer deeply loved her family and her family deeply loved her. She was a blessing to her family and will be greatly missed forever and always.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Phyllis Traff; sister, Victoria Karels; brother, Kenneth Traff; grandparents Charles and Leona (Hanke) Vodraska, and Palmer and Ida (Anderson) Traff; along with many Aunts and Uncles and several cousins.

Jennifer is survived by her siblings: Jerome (Jill) Traff, Tony Traff, Kim (Steve) Kruckow, Tina (Steve) Serres, Stephanie (Dave) Adams, Tom Traff and Andy Traff. Also, nieces and nephews: Janelle (Dennis) Liebe, Kraig (Amy) Karels, Adam Traff, Joshua (Chelsey) Kruckow, Britney (Todd) Christiansen, Tyler Kruckow, Zachary (MaKayla) Serres, Emily (Abe) Diersen, Jeremy (Brenna) Iverson, Tanner Iverson, Morgan Adams and Caleb Traff. Great-nieces and great-nephews: Makayla (Drew) Nolli, Noah and Braedyn Liebe; Laini, Stella and Rowena Karels; Emmalin, Everett and Lorin Kruckow; Jayden, Adilyn and Peyton Christiansen, Kaylyn Westerberg; Vivian, Cecelia and Ezra Serres; MaKenna, Isaac and Aubree Diersen; Odin and Ivan Iverson and baby girl Iverson due March, 2025; and Roselyn Jennifer Traff; numerous cousins; and many, many friends that Jennifer dearly loved also.

Services to honor Jennifer will include a visitation on Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a Christian funeral service to be held Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service; both at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia, MN. Pastor Steven Meyer will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow the service, with burial following the luncheon at the Zion Evangelical Cemetery in Brownsville, MN.

Blessed be the memory of Jennifer Traff.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be offered on this website.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.