Kerry L. Trautman, 71, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away unexpectedly on December 14, 2025.

Kerry was born on June 13, 1954, in Long Beach, California to Dwight and Shirley (Ransdell) Trautman. He was raised in Lexington and graduated from Lexington High School in 1972.

After attending college in Hastings, he returned to Lexington and worked for Dennis Latter as a carpenter. Kerry then joined his father Dwight at Trautman’s Meat Center for 25 plus years. In 2001, he established Trautman’s Quality Meats in Kearney and continued his sausage making and meat processing talents prior to retiring in 2024.

Kerry married Loy (Nielsen) and in this union two children were born: Dirk and Kylee. He later married and divorced Heidi (Carlson). Together they raised and showed Percheron Draft Horses which took them to numerous places and formed many friendships along the way.

He was past President of the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors, past president and longtime local committee member of Ducks Unlimited. Kerry was a proud Eagle Scout, youth Cub Scout leader and devoted many years teaching hunter safety education courses.

He was an insanely talented sausage and snack stick creator–earning many awards from the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors. He was always mixing up new recipes to try.

Kerry found immense joy in sports, cooking, fishing, and above all he had a deep love for all things hunting especially waterfowl. Kerry’s best days were spent in the blind. He was fortunate to hunt Jeffrey’s Island for nearly 40 years and over the last decade he was welcomed in to hunt with Dr. John Ford and Sid Jaeger, for that he knew he could never repay the favor. His blind breakfasts were legendary, the annual Christmas parties were epic, the stories told, pranks played and the laughs, he cherished his hunting partners, friends and relationships made along the way will last an eternity. To quote Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson, Kerry’s time in the blind made him “happy, happy, happy”

Left to cherish Kerry’s memories are his children, Dirk (Kami) Trautman of Lincoln and Kylee (Matt) Wilken of Bertrand; grandchildren Brenly and Kendyl Trautman and Westin, Macrae, and Oaklee Wilken; sisters Joni (Ed) Bennett of Lincoln and Cathy (Scott) Sarnes of Lexington; as well as nieces, a nephew, special friend, Sue Nickel of Lexington along with their canine companions.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Shirley, and his uncle’s Robert Ransdell and Darrell Trautman.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19th, 2025, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral home in Lexington, Nebraska. Funeral Services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. with Dan Schwarz officiating. The Celebration of Life with family and friends will continue at Kirks Nebraskaland Restaurant. Memorials are kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com