Fred Trapp

Fred Trapp

November 9, 1938-February 28, 2025

   On Friday February 28, 2025 Fred Trapp of Selkirk peacefully passed away at Selkirk Regional Health Centre with his family by his side.

   Fred is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gerry, his children Karie and Jeff (Luna), granddaughters Andrea (Trent) and Meg (Evan), great-grandsons Callan and Kyden, brother Len (Gail) and numerous nieces and nephews. Fred was predeceased by his parents Rudolph and Helen Trapp, his in-laws Bunty and Anne Peers, brother Lawrence, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Joyce Peers.

   Fred was born November 9, 1938 in Selkirk. He grew up on the family farm north of Selkirk. Fred met the love of his life Gerry in high school. They married in September 1961 and moved into the home they built where he lived with Gerry until his health declined and he had to move into Betel Home in Selkirk in October 2024.

   Fred was known for his quick wit and his sense of humour. He was a joker. He was also able to strike up a conversation with anyone. He was a definite extrovert. He also was known for his wisdom in the way he had little sayings such as “don’t judge a person until you’ve walked in their shoes” and “you meet the same people on the way up as you do on the way down”.  He also was famous in his family for his pep talks when things were tough going. “Just get back on the horse” was a phrase that he often said to his granddaughters with his frequent phone calls to both of them. Sometimes he would call just to tell them jokes he had just heard. It was like he invented the “Dad joke”. Fred, as much as he was known for his humour, was also known for his tender heart, compassion and gratitude. These traits will live on through his children, granddaughters and great-grandsons.

    Fred was a family man and dedicated to Gerry, Karie and Jeff and was thrilled when he became a grandfather to Andrea and Meg and more recently a great-grandfather to Callan and Kyden. He took such good care of Gerry, always making sure her gas tank was full and there was supper on the table when she got home from work. He was an amazing cook. Fred’s summers were spent with Gerry and the kids camping or at Anne and Bunty’s cabin. When Karie started competing in water-skiing there were camping trips to wherever Karie was competing across Canada and camping was at Betula Lake in the Whiteshell, where she trained. Fred’s winters were spent in hockey rinks watching and supporting Jeff in his love of hockey. There were also trips to hockey tournaments in Canada and the US. Fred also spent many years volunteering for Selkirk Minor Hockey Association and later on for the Selkirk Steelers. Once the water-skiing and hockey days were done and his granddaughters were born he was then busy going to their soccer games, piano recitals, speed skating competitions, and school concerts.

    Fred worked at the Rolling Mills in Selkirk for 42 years. It was there that he made a number of good friends, some of which he continued to see after his retirement.

  Fred and Gerry enjoyed some amazing trips, some of which included Australia and Indonesia. Once they both retired they spent some time in Destin, Florida.  There were also camping and golf trips with the BBG, or the butter brinkle gang. It was with this group that many fun times and laughs were had. There were also a couple of ski trips as Fred and Gerry took up downhill skiing in their 40’s. 

   In June 2005, Fred survived a devastating stroke. He spent a number of months at Deer Lodge Centre rehabilitating. The physician there had told him he most likely would never walk again. Fred showed his determination and perseverance by working very hard with his physiotherapist and on the day he was discharged home, he walked into that doctor’s office and said “remember me? You told me I wouldn’t walk again. Well, look at me now!!” and he walked out the door. After his stroke Fred continued with his sense of humour and often had some great zingers. He never felt sorry for himself and was able to continue to have a full life. Camping continued, although it was just in one spot- Cherry Hill, where he and Gerry spent some great times with friends John and Sandy.

     The last two years as Fred’s health deteriorated, which included a couple of hospital stays, and help from home care services and more recently a move to Betel Home in Selkirk,  Fred continued to still have a sense of humour.

    Fred’s family meant the world to him and he cherished the time he spent with them. Nothing made him happier than being called Papa T by his granddaughters and great-grandsons.

   The family would like to thank the home care workers that helped keep Fred home as long as possible, everyone at Betel home where he was affectionately known as Papa T and the staff at Selkirk Regional Health Centre for the care and compassion during Fred’s last hours.

   Celebration of Fred’s Life will be Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Gilbart Funeral Home, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk, Manitoba.

   In lieu of flowers, if desired, please send contributions to Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

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