Erla Joan (Jo) Trafton died on March 5, 2025, in Denver, CO at the age of 94. She was born September 3, 1930, in La Harpe, IL, the only child or Ermil and Edna Logan.

Jo was raised on a farm in Dallas City, IL and graduated from Dallas City High School in 1948. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Burlington (IA) Hospital School of Nursing in September 1951. During her life she enjoyed oil painting, playing the piano and the snare drum in high school band. She was an active member of P.E.O. for over 60 years.

She married Forrest E. Trafton on October 26, 1950 in Hiawatha, KS. She is survived by her son, Dan Trafton (Amy), Golden, CO; her daughter, Nancy Trafton, Louisville, KY; her grandchildren, Connor Trafton, California; and Claire Trafton Murphy (Rob), Michigan; as well as several Trafton nieces and nephews and several Paulus, Logan, and Dietrich cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Jo practiced her nursing profession for 46 years, helping her children and husband through college. Later in her career she helped develop the next generation of nurses as a nursing instructor at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, IA while earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. Francis College in Illinois. Jo was a true partner with her husband in his veterinary practice, Eastview Animal Hospital. Jo and Forrest moved to Colorado in 2001.

She will be buried with her husband at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice or to the Heartland Humane Society, 314 Fox and Sauk Rd., PO Box 1149, Ottumwa, IA 52501.