Viola Catherine Traxler

Viola Catherine Traxler, 91, Menomonie, died Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at The

Neighbors of Dunn County. 

Vi was born in Menomonie, WI on June 19, 1935, a daughter of the late Leroy and Margaret (Simon) Rogers. She attended local schools and was a 1953 graduate of Menomonie High School. Viola joined the US Navy and served from 1955-1956 as a radio operator. 

On August 28, 1965, Vi married Raymond K. Traxler. She worked multiple jobs over her lifetime to support her family but also was able to enjoy her favorite hobbies of traveling, gardening, reading, and NASCAR. Right up until the last she was giving advice to family and friends on how to make their plants grow and thrive better and picking winners in a NASCAR Facebook competition with her daughter. 

Vi is survived by her children: Patti Wehrman and Steve (Cynthia) Willey, three stepchildren whom she loved as her own: Marshall (Rita) Traxler, Rita Traxler (Ken) Schmidt, Jane (Galen) Heutmaker; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 4 great- great-grandchildren. She also leaves her brothers: Ralph (Bev) Rogers, Loren (Connie) Rogers, Chuck (Colleen) Rogers and a sister Edith (Dallas) Pankowski and Daughter- in-law Debrah Willey. Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray; her son, Dan; her siblings: Andrew (Nancy) Rogers, LaVerne “Buck” (Sally) Rogers, Stanley Rogers, Jan (LeRoy) Freiberg and Karen (Lee) Kundy. 

A Mass of Christian burial for Vi will be celebrated Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Menomonie with Fr. John Mano officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. 

Vi’s family would like to thank the staff at The Neighbors of Dunn County for their great care and support for her during the last few years, and Adoray Hospice over the last 2 months. We know that she was well taken care of at the end.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.rhielfuneralhome.com