Vava Trexel

Vava Elizabeth “Betty” (Barker) Trexel, 96, of Oregon, Wisconsin peacefully passed away November 7, 2013. Visitation was at Adams Funeral Home in Ames. Private burial was in the Jefferson Cemetery.
Betty was born October 6, 1917 to Dean M. and Vava Barker of Jefferson, Iowa where she graduated high school Valedictorian.  She attended Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa for a year during the depression where she met Milton Trexel from Dennison, Iowa between music lessons.
She completed secretarial school in Des Moines, Iowa where she re-acquainted with and later married M. Trexel, an instrumental music teacher.
WWII ensued and both worked at the Glenn L. Martin bomber plant in Omaha.  After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Milton enlisted to serve in the south Pacific during which time their son was born.
Their daughter was born after Milton returned.  Milton pursued a distinguished career in music education, retiring in Ames, Iowa.  Betty played a major support role as a band director’s wife, mother, typist, and library assistant.  She helped raise her sister’s family when her sister became disabled with polio.  Betty relocated to Fitchburg, Wisconsin when she was diagnosed  with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2001.
Betty is survived by her son, Richard D. and daughter-in-law Deborah F. (Audier) Trexel of Fitchburg, Wisconsin; three grandchildren, Dean Trexel of Michigan, Dale Trexel and Dawn Trexel-Kroll, both of Minnesota; and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Milo Kroll of Virginia, Minnesota.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Milton of 40 years; daughter, Susan E. (Trexel) Verkade of Ames; and sister, Juliann (Barker) McGehee of Memphis, Tennessee.  
In lieu of flowers the Trexel family would request memorial gifts not be sent.  However, if you would be so inclined, gifts may be made in her name to your local Alzheimer’s Disease support group or AD organization. A mind is a terrible thing to lose. Betty and her family would like to thank her friends, loved ones, and caregivers for enriching her life of 96 years.
Adams Funeral Home in Ames assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.adamssoderstrum.com. 515-232-5121

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