Mark D. Trafton

Mark Douglas Trafton, age 63, of New Auburn, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Abbott Northwestern after a 3 week battle with sepsis. He was born in Fridley, Minnesota, on December 8, 1961, to Harold and Rita (Lutgen) Trafton.

Mark met Tracey in 2003 and as the saying goes “the rest was history!” They were united in marriage on July 23, 2005. He welcomed her children as his own without batting an eye. You could never find one without the other. They truly enjoyed each other and were true soul mates and the love of each other’s lives.

He didn’t need much to make him happy. If there was an animal in need, he helped it. He had many fur babies who loved snuggling with dad. He loved to spend time in the garage working with gadgets and rock music. He loved Halloween and carved out pumpkins by candlelight. And you could almost always find him with his shirt unbuttoned or off and without shoes. But his favorite activity was spending his time with his wife and his adoring grandchildren. He loved them immensely and would’ve hung the moon for them if he could have.

Although he lived and enjoyed a simple life, it wasn’t without struggle. He was a CNC Machinist for many years before enduring a permanent back injury that left him disabled. He struggled with chronic back pain ever since. A heart warrior, he struggled with congestive heart failure for many years before undergoing open heart surgery in 2019 to place a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). His grandchildren loved to help keep grandpa beating by changing his batteries.

He is survived, and will be deeply missed, by his loving wife Tracey, of 20 years; his children Mike (Megan) Trafton, Misty (Adam) Bauermeister, Jordan Broaddus, Morgan (Matthew) Marek and Blake Broaddus; his cherished grandchildren, Mayla and Monty Trafton; Mia, Asher, Maddyn and Maddox Bauermeister; Rhiannon and Jaymasyn Broaddus; and Marcellina, Myrabelle, Maksym, Mikynley, Mavryck, Maryn, Myles and Malkym Marek; brothers Marvin (Anne) and Harry; sister Nan (Karl) Carstens; and many other nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Rita; his brother, Stephen; his sister, Rita; and his granddaughter, Monroe Marek.

The family would like to thank Abbott Northwestern for the kind care they gave him during his stay at the hospital and his final days.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.