Dora Mae Traul.... Age 97

Dora Mae Traul age 97 of Richmond, KS went to meet her savior peacefully from her home Thursday July 14, 2022.

Dora was born January 1, 1925 in Chanute KS. She was the eldest of six children born to Frank and Lillian “Peggy” (Huffman) Boone. Dora attended Willow Branch grade school and Graduated High School in Kincaid, KS. Growing up she enjoyed running from cattle, jumping from the rolling school bus, working in the bush city grocery store, and singing & dancing on Bush City Radio.  While performing at local dances, she never would have guessed the school teacher who got her involved in music and tap dance would later become her sister in law.

Dora met Clarence Wesley Traul at a dance in Parker KS, she loved to dance.  They began to court and write letters while he completed Navy pilot training and was deployed to the Pacific.  On the home front Dora did her part in the war effort working in the Coleman factory in Wichita.  On December 17, 1944, the couple united in marriage in Ottawa, KS, and quickly headed off to the west coast as Clarence trained for another deployment.  Settling in Ottawa they had two children; Peggy and Wesley. Then later made their home in Raytown, MO where they were active members at Countryside Methodist Church.  After enjoying 56 years of gardening, traveling, watching their children’s and grandchildren’s activities, and hosting their family gatherings; Clarence went before her to be with the Lord.

She poured her life into being a homemaker and mother until her kids were grown. In her return to the workforce she spent many years working for La Petite Academy, earning many accolades, and getting to travel Europe before retiring as a director.  She then continued as a cook and teacher in the daycare business where each of her granddaughters worked with her at times until her final retirement at 86.

In all she did, she enjoyed serving and socializing. She kept an immaculate yard with full flower beds and a bit smaller vegetable garden than when her husband was around.  She always had open arms and a table full of food for family and friends. Dora enjoyed cooking for the hunters at her son’s hunting lodge, where her homemade noodles, cobblers, and pecan pies were a crowd favorite. Later in life she especially enjoyed watching sports, which she often reminisced how she used to chide Clarence for doing the same.  She lived her life through the lens of “yes” being ready to serve those around her, always up for an adventure, and was steadfastly determined in all that she did. Even in her nineties she would get her 4’10” frame right up in the seat of a pickup.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents, brothers; Dean Boone, Duane Boone, Bob Boone, sister Betty Jo Yackle, and great grandson Chad Stover.

Her children Peggy (Bill) Yoakum of Belton, MO and Wesley (Mary Beth) Traul of Richmond, KS, her sister Linda (Skip) Cadwallder, five grandchildren; Amy Stover, Becky Coppock, Lisa Shea, Patrick Traul, Katie Smith, along with 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild; to carry on her legacy.   “Good Grief!”