Dana Tranel

Dana Ann Trapp Tranel, beloved wife and mother of five, died at home surrounded by her family, on November 3, 2018. Her death was caused by breast cancer. Dana was born to Patricia and James Trapp on November 13, 1962 in Salt Lake City where she was raised with her younger brother, Mikel, and sister, Nichole. She graduated from the University of Utah and traveled extensively while working for Delta Airlines. When a mutual friend introduced her to a young man from Montana, Dana's travels included a long-distance romance that became an epic love story. On May 28, 1995, Dana and Ned Anthony Tranel married in a country church set on the high, rolling fields west of Broadview. A line from the Circle of Life read at their wedding described their mutual hopes. From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking, step into the sun, there's more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done. What this couple wanted to do was create a home and fill it with children. In 1996, they joyfully welcomed their first child, Nathanial; in 1998, Nicholas was born; in 1999, Gabriel; in 2002, Samuel; and finally, in 2004, a daughter, Madeline. Dana was a devoted mother who recognized each child's individuality and nurtured their gifts through musical opportunities, books, toys, sports equipment of every variety. Extraverted and energetic, she took immense, quiet pride in their accomplishments, knew their friends, other parents, teachers. Her words of love and discipline, whether a pointed text message or well-chosen emoji, were not to be dismissed, although her rambunctious cheering at basketball games was impossible to ignore. Her children's birthdays meant sharing a meal at the family table, followed by the presentation of an enormous bag of gifts, large and small. She was an expert cook, who could pull off a ski weekend with cousins, a team meal, a grad party or Sunday brunch. Her home was warm, fun, inviting, accented with pieces she'd hunted down and refinished. Her abiding desire was to create a beautiful space for her family. In 2008, when cancer was diagnosed, Dana chose goals—a child's birthday, a graduation, Christmas, a wedding anniversary—and set out with fierce determination to live, ultimately gaining ten more years with her husband and young family. Aware that the Thanksgiving of 2017, might be her last, she and Ned gathered their children and extended family together to celebrate. She was enthused about the next chapters in her kid's lives and profoundly sad to leave so soon. Dana was loyal. Kind. Generous. Caring. She taught us to forgive. She seemed always to be striving for beauty like that described by Keats in his poem, Endymion. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing A flowery band to bind us to the earth. Dana, thank you for the beauty and joy you have brought into the lives of the family who survives you: your husband, Ned; your five children, Nathanial, Nicholas, Gabriel, Samuel and Madeline, your lifelong friends, Mary Higgins and Mary Jo Ahlin, and your extended family: your mother, Patricia Trapp, brother, Mikel (Janell) Trapp, sister, Nichole (Troy) Zupon, all of Salt Lake City; mother-in-law Virginia Tranel of Billings; in-laws Dan Tranel (Natalie Denburg) of Iowa City; Mike Tranel (Mary Tidlow) of Red Lodge; Elizabeth (Jim Halverson) of Billings; Alane Tranel (Christopher Smith) of Iowa City; Monica Tranel (Greg Lind) of Missoula; Paul Tranel (Angela) of Missoula; Jennie Tranel (Mike Neeley) of Bozeman; Ben Tranel (Yunjin Seong) of San Francisco; Adrienne Tranel (Ben Davis) of Los Angeles and the 35 nieces and nephews belonging to these siblings who loved to go to “Aunt Dana's house.” Dana is preceded in death by her father, Jim Trapp, and father-in-law, Nathaniel (Ned) Nicholas Tranel. Cremation has taken place. A gathering to celebrate Dana's life will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2940 Poly Drive, Billings. Please join us afterward. If desired, memorials in Dana's honor could be made to someone with breast cancer.