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In Memory

Phyllis Kotschwar (Traphagan) - Class Of 1956

Phyllis Traphagan Friday, January 7, 2005 March 21, 1938-Jan. 4, 2005 YUMA, Colo. -- Phyllis Pauline (Kotschwar) Traphagan, 66, died Tuesday (Jan. 4, 2005) at the Yuma Life Care Center in Yuma, Colo., after a battle with cancer. She was born March 21, 1938, to Leo and Anastasia (Wasia) Kotschwar in Dickens. She was raised in McCook and graduated from McCook High School in 1956. On June 15, 1957, she married Robert Traphagan. The couple moved to the San Fernando Valley in California where they lived for six years. The couple then moved to Wheatridge, Colo. She worked as a bookkeeper for Valley Water District. In 1983, they moved to Eads, Colo., to pursue their dream of owning and operating a small motel, grocery store and gas station. The couple divorced in 1987, and she returned to Denver where she was a medical records director in several nursing homes and rehabilitation center in the Denver area. She retired in 2001. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Don and Vernon; five sisters, Shirley Slack, Thelma Duckworth, Alice Carlson, Ruth Vieth and Laurine Channel. Survivors include twin sons, Pat Traphagan and wife, Cindy of Eckley, Colo., and Mike Traphagan of Garland, Texas; daughters, Mary Traphagan of Denver, Colo., Tracy DeDore of Los Gatos, Calif.; four grandchildren; two brothers, Kent Kotschwar and wife, Phyllis of McCook, Stanley "Jiggs" Kotschwar and wife, Pat of Stratton; two sisters, Laverna Ely and husband, Wayne and Jackie Boehm, both of McCook; sister-in-law, Cecilia Kotschwar of McCook and brother-in-law, Bob Vieth of Grand Island. Mass of Christian burial was Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials can be given in her name to the American Cancer Society. Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the local arrangements. Source of information: McCook Daily Gazette McCook, NE