Discontented after working a short time as a factory worker, Fred A. Trafelet took a new direction in his life after renting an apartment in a home that had soft water. “He thought that water was the most wonderful thing in the world and would rave about it to everyone,” said his daughter Bonnie, a staff photographer for the Chicago Tribune. With his family at his side, Mr. Trafelet, 86, former longtime owner and operator of a Culligan Water Conditioning franchise, died Monday, Dec. 15, in Michigan of complications from a head injury suffered in a fall. Raised in Millersburg, Mich., Mr. Trafelet attended agricultural classes for one year at Michigan State University before serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II. After his discharge, he worked for a short while in Ypsilanti, Mich., as an airplane mechanic and then in a factory. He met his wife, Rosemarie, through relatives and they married in 1947. “He adored my mother,” said his daughter. “Even at the end, when he was sick in the hospital, he would say to everyone `This is my angel.’ He said that he had a premonition when he was 12 that his angel had entered the world. My mother is 12 years younger than my father, and he always thought he had the premonition when she was born.” In 1949, the couple moved to northeast Michigan and, with money borrowed from relatives, opened the Culligan franchise in Rogers City. For the first seven years, the couple lived in their shop until saving enough money to buy a home. In 1965, he opened a carwash in town. He sold the Culligan franchise in 1989 but held onto the carwash until 1998. “He was up on a ladder fixing something at the carwash, remembered his age, and thought he better quit,” said his daughter. Mr. Trafelet enjoyed hunting and fishing, and two years ago went whitewater rafting in Alaska with his son. “He absolutely loved bowling and won all kinds of awards,” said his daughter. In addition to his wife and daughter, survivors include a son, Jim; another daughter, Terri; three sisters, Ruth Winn, Nina Wirgau and Althea Granholm. A visitation Thursday and services Friday will be held in Rogers City, Mich.
