Father John F. Traufler

Father John F. Traufler, age 92, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, April 22, 2024, at Madonna Towers in Rochester, Minnesota. Father Traufler was born August 28, 1931, to John Traufler and Edna (Coty) Traufler in Chatfield, Minnesota. He attended Chatfield Public School, graduating in 1949. He then entered St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota for studies in Philosophy and the Classics and graduated with a BA Degree in 1953. He then entered the St. Paul Seminary and was ordained to the Priesthood at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona, Minnesota on June 1, 1957. After ordination he served at a number of parishes throughout Southern Minnesota. On July 1, 2003, after 46 years of active parish work, he retired to Austin, Minnesota. There he helped in various parishes, usually with weekend Masses but also funerals during the week. On weekdays he kept busy in his garden and lawn where he loved raising flowers and vegetables.

Father Traufler is survived by his one sister, Mary Jo Mathias and her husband, Joseph of Byron, Minnesota; and his five nephews and one niece.