Art Trautmann, formerly of Robinson and Bismarck, passed away on July 29 at the age of 91 at the Eventide Nursing Home in Jamestown.

Art was born on October 14, 1934, on the family farm to William A. and Martha (Weisser) Trautmann. He grew up on the farm and like many farm kids he knew the value of hard work at an early age. If you asked Art, maybe too early. He would joke that as soon as he could walk, he was out shocking grain, cutting it with a binder and setting them up so the grain heads wouldn’t get wet. His wife Velma would say, “The harder Art worked, the happier he was!”

Art attended the Robinson Public School graduating with the Class of 1952. He was the last surviving member of his class of nine.

After graduating high school, Art was active in Amateur Basketball and in 1953, played for the Tuttle Aces. They finished runner-up at the State A finals in Bismarck. In 1961, Art played on the team from Robinson, and they took first place at the State Amateur Basketball Tournament in Bismarck. Art was very proud of his amateur basketball playing days. It was here that Dick Karlgard and Vernon Hall taught him how to shoot a jump shot and he was deadly with his jump shot. His children and grandchildren did not go without him showing you or telling you, “you need to work on your jump shot.”

Music was part of Art’s DNA and as a teenager, he began playing the guitar and singing. Art and his brother Willam “Bill”, and his sister, Loretta, played together at various dances. Art, Bill, Loretta and Leonard Morlock would often play for the Sunrise Dances in Robinson with the dances starting at 1:00 am and ending when the sun came up. He was also a member of the JP Munsch and his Bunch.

Art’s signature song was “She Taught Me How to Yodel.” He was a self-taught master yodeler. His favorite song was The Fox, an old folk song. He did some tap dancing, a skill learned from Bob Durrand, “The Ketchup Kid”, who was part of a thrashing crew that would come up from the south. Art was known as “Old Jigger” when tap dancing at the Robinson Hee Haws.

Art married his high school sweetheart, Velma Hanson on August 28, 1955, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Robinson. Art and Velma remained on the farm until 2008 when they moved to Bismarck. He did manage to pry himself away from the farm a few times to visit Las Vegas. They traveled to Norway with the Valley City Troubadours in 1980 when Lanna was asked to sing with them.

Art began selling Lahman Movers in 1969 and in 1975 Lorenz Movers. His first sales were to Larry Jasper, Tom Adams, Rick Bowerman, and Cletus Regner. In 1978, he began to handle Vermeer Balers and parts. He later added T & L Irrigation and Rowse rakes and mowers to his implement line up. Art moved his business to Robinson in 1984 and “retired” from his small implement business in 1994. He continued to sell parts and movers well into his 80s.

In 1966, Art raised his hand to ask a question and soon became part of the 1966 Democratic ticket. He ran for a seat in the ND House of Representatives along with Cletus Regner. He remained a proud Democrat the rest of his life.

Art had a love for community and sports. He was a Charter Member of the Robinson Lions Club earning the Chevron Award for 50 years as a Lion. He coached many Pee Wee and Babe Ruth Baseball teams and the women’s Security State Bank softball team. Trautmann Sales sponsored the Robinson men’s softball team, and he was very proud of them. In 1976, they took home first place in the Class A Division at the first ever Sam McQuade Tournament. In 1987, they took home first place in the Class C Division at the State Softball Tournament.

Art enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play sports. After the game, you count on him giving you advice, whether you wanted it or not.

Art will be deeply missed by his son Wesley Trautmann (Cindy) of Robinson; daughters, LaDonna (Bob) Bowerman of Bismarck, and Lanna Slaby of Jamestown. His grandchildren; Casey (John) Patzner, Bismarck, Chase Trautmann, Robinson, Courtney (Bo) Riskedahl, Steele, Brietta (Kenn) Iverson, Jamestown, Molly (Landon) Rachel, Jamestown, and Abby Slaby, West Fargo. His great grandchildren: Maise Patzner, Haddie, Haven and Kolter Riskedahl, Claire, Adley and Brock Iverson, Brita & Braxton Bowerman, Seger and Lennie Rachel. He leaves behind his dear sister, Loretta White of Mandan, sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Hanson and Ardene Barth, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Peter and Loretta Hanson, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Velma in 2013; his beloved grandsons, Brock and Brett Bowerman; son-in-law, Shawn Slaby; his parents; in-laws, Peter C. and Mildred Hanson; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Judy Trautmann, brother-in-law, Glen White, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Norma and Alvin Hinkel, Dale and Joyce Hanson, and Jimmy Hanson.

Visitation will take place at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, in Bismarck on Tuesday, August 4 from 5:00-7:00 with a Memorial Gathering starting at 7:00. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 5, at 10:30 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 216 Charles St in Robinson. Burial to follow at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany Lutheran Cemetery Fund, the Robinson Lions or a charity of your choice.

A special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Eventide Nursing Home for their patience, understanding, and compassionate care.

The family will miss and always remember Art’s signature songs, strong work ethic, stronger opinions, how to check the Powerball numbers and most importantly, the love he had for all of us.