Georgina Frances Traut

Georgina "Ginger" Frances Krall Traut passed away on the first of April. She joins her
beloved husband John "Jack" Traut in heaven. She was born in Chicago on January 25,
1937, to George and Albina Krall. She is survived by her sister Jeannine Krall and is
predeceased by her brother George Krall, Jr. and her brother John Krall.
Ginger and Jack were married on December 26, 1959, after falling in love on a blind
date. They were married for nearly 60 years. She and Jack raised their five children,
Janet E. Traut, John Traut, Carolyn Stone, Suzanne Walsh, and Daniel Traut, in the
Chicago area, Southern California, and Reno, Nevada. Ginger enjoyed spending time
with her many grandchildren.
She graduated from Mundelein College in Chicago and attended classes at UCLA
working on her master's degree before relocating to Reno. Ginger started her career in
teaching but left to focus on her children. Even then she found different ways to
continue her life as an educator. Many people may remember her fondly as the Picture
Lady while she lived in Deerfield, Illinois and volunteered with the Educational Outreach
Program of the Art Institute of Chicago, exposing hundreds of elementary school
children to fine art. She started her library career in California, as the librarian of Lindero
Canyon Middle School, and then in the Conejo Valley Library in Thousand Oaks. After
moving to Reno, Ginger became the children's librarian in the downtown branch of the
Washoe County Library System. Later, as the librarian at the Senior's Center, she
helped thousands of people find books to read until she retired at age 72.
She loved being a member of the American Association of University Women and was a
strong advocate for its mission. She was active in her local branch wherever she lived.
Ginger loved to read, play cards and create art when she could. She always had
binoculars available for birdwatching. The quail in her backyard were the fattest in
Washoe County! She enjoyed tending her rose garden and always had a few blooms in
a vase indoors. Many of Ginger's friendships were cultivated through her bridge and
book groups.
Ginger and Jack had many adventures together and were willing to take risks, whether
a new job, a new town, or a summer cottage in New Auburn, Wisconsin. They
transplanted their family to Southern California from Chicago, answering an ad that
asked, "Tired of shoveling snow? Try sunny Southern California!" It was a tough
decision to leave their families, but they headed out west. Their final move to Reno in
the early 80's seemed risky at the time, but they wouldn't have thought twice if they
knew how much they would love their Reno home, family, and friends. One of the things
Ginger loved about Reno was being so close to Lake Tahoe. They could escape life's
stresses just sitting by the water at Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge. They also enjoyed taking
frequent trips to Cabo San Lucas.
Her family is gathering on April 26th for a quiet service. Please keep them in your
prayers. Ginger, Jack, and their family would be glad if you remembered them with a
donation to the Sanford Center for Aging at UNR or the Alzheimer's Association in lieu
of flowers.