Susan Traw

Susan D. "Sue" Traw, 65, of Iola, Kansas, passed from this life into the presence of the Lord, on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at her home. She was born February 2, 1947, at Humboldt, Nebraska, the daughter of Harlan Jacob and Alice M. (Strahm) Wittmer. She grew up on the family farm at Bern, Kansas, where she graduated from high school in 1965. She received her bachelor's degree from Emporia State University in 1969 in Elementary Education with a minor in music. On September 1, 1968, Sue married Steven P. Traw at Bern, Kansas. They made their home in Emporia for a year as they finished their educations. They moved to Seneca and she taught kindergarten and music at Kelly, Kansas, south of Seneca for two years. Steve joined the United States Air Force and they moved to Lubbock, Texas, then Sacramento, California where son Michael was born, and Topeka before she returned to Bern with her son to reside while Steve served overseas. Their two daughters, Judi and Rebecca, were born in Destin, Florida when they resided there. While Steve attended seminary, the family resided in Garland, Texas, and Sue taught in Christian education. They served a church in Post, Texas for five years and Sue taught piano to over 50 students. In 1987, the family moved to Iola when Steve became pastor of the First Christian Church. Sue taught elementary music education at Jefferson and McKinley Schools in Iola for 15 years. She continued giving piano lessons, always serving as an accompanist at all the churches where they resided, including serving as organist at First Christian Church and Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola. She belonged to PEO, Iola Music Club, and was an accompanist for Vespers and the Allen County Community College Choir. SURVIVORS: Her husband of 43 years: Pastor Steve Traw of the home Her 3 Children: Michael Traw & wife, Tara of Bucyrus, KS, Judi Donaldson & husband, Kelly of Topeka, KS, and Rebecca Stephenson & husband, Kyle of Iola, KS 13 Grandchildren: Kathryn, Beatta, Jesse, Joseph, Benjamin & Timrek Traw, Tatum, Madeline, Clairen & Jacob Donaldson, and Abigail, Eliott & Wyatt Stephenson 2 Brothers: Ronald Wittmer of DuBois, NE and Larry Wittmer & wife, Beverly of Colony, KS A special cousin raised with her family: Hal Prichard of Sabetha, KS She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan and Alice Wittmer. VISITATION: 4:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 a.m., Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church in Iola. GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Strawn Cemetery northwest of Burlington, Kansas. MEMORIAL: The Susan D. Traw Memorial Fund Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com .