Franklin Troutner

On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, Franklin Troutner traded his farmer's hat for angel wings.

Born November 17, 1940, to Gladys and Guy Troutner of Nashua, Franklin Guy Troutner took up farming and work at a young age. Upon graduation from Nashua High School 1959, Frank was employed at Oliver Tractors in Charles City, Iowa. Through the years, Frank worked for Oliver until it was purchased by White Farm, then for White Farm until the factory was closed in 1993. After that, he worked at Sara Lee in New Hampton until it closed in 1999. Through it all, Frank farmed the 80 acres he grew up on.

Frank joined the Army in May of 1963 and served in Alaska - including helping secure supplies and aid civilians during the Great Anchorage Earthquake of 1964. He proudly served on active duty until 1966, graduating top of his class in the US Army School of Engineering where he was tagged as potential instructor. He was a member of the Army Reserves until April of 1969, when he was Honorably Discharged. Until the end, Frank could rattle off his name, rank and number in an instant.

After leaving the Army, Frank met his future bride, Kay Ellen Belknap. They were joined in marriage on July 3, 1970, during a small ceremony performed by Rev David L Schuldt at Shipley Chapel, Wesley House, First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. After the honeymoon, they settled on the family farm in Riverton Township, Nashua, Iowa.

During their 50 years of marriage, they were blessed with 3 daughters - Tricia, Teria, and Tina. Frank's favorite activities while his daughters were growing up involved educating them through camping, farming, museum visits, and purchasing them a computer while they were young. His daughters fondly remember weekend camping trips during the summer, "hold out your hand" into which Frank would deposit some newly discovered insect or animal he came across while farming or attempting to cross the swinging bridge in Charles City while their dad shook it (before all the extra supports were added!). And while spending time with his family in the evenings, Frank enjoyed a bowl of ice cream or a delicious piece of his wife's pie.

As much as he loved his daughters, everyone could see how very happy and proud he was of his grandson Matthew. Whether it was a school activity, a ball game, or just the chance to show Matt the farm - "Papa's" smile never left his face.

During his retirement, aside from enjoyable times with his grandson, Frank traveled with his wife Kay on many trips organized by their bank - never failing to bring back pictures, stories and mementos for their girls.

Frank is survived by his daughters Tricia (Timothy) Schultz, Teria (Ken) Craven and Tina (Jon) Schmidt; his sisters Gwen (Marvin) Matthews, Barb (Delbert) Krull, Natalie (John) Lavendar; his grandson Matthew Schultz; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kay (Belknap); his parents Gladys and Guy Troutner; his in-laws Marian and Gordon Wood; his sister Muriel Weisenstein; his brother Melvern (Caroline) Troutner; his brother-in-laws Marvin (Gwen) Matthews, Noel (Karen) Mizell, Francis (Dee) Belknap; his sister-in-law Karen (Noel) Mizell; and his son-in-law Jon (Tina) Schmidt.

Frank and Kay will be interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua, Iowa, during a celebration of life ceremony. Timing and arrangements are pending. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Franklin Troutner may be made to the UNO Wheelchair Basketball Team fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation, P.O. Box 82555, Lincoln NE 68501-2555. Please visit nufoundation.org to make an online gift.

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