Kathleen Smith Trautman

Beryl Kathleen (Smith) Trautman, known to all as Kathleen, passed away on August 4, 2026. She was 83. She is survived by her husband, Richard Trautman, and her children Sara Trautman-Yegenoglu, Meg Wagner, and Will Trautman; sons-in-law Ferit Yegenoglu and Kris Wagner, and daughter-in-law Shauna Trautman; and grandchildren Julia, Nick, Ebru, and Charlie, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen cared for and helped to support her extended family in a multitude of ways, and was a beloved confidant and matriarch in the Trautman and Smith families. She loved getting together regularly with friends from every part of her life: the “girls” from her childhood in Frederick, OK; friends from the University of Oklahoma; those she connected with in Oklahoma City at the Living Room Group; and others met in later years.

An artist, quilter, crafter (especially of sewing projects), decorator, reader, and poet with a head for numbers, she loved to travel with Richard to places near and far, including many trips to California, Santa Fe, Denver, and Washington, DC, as well as abroad. Her home was filled with beautiful things that she created, collected, or found on her travels.

Kathleen was an ardent Democrat with a lifelong interest in politics and wasn’t shy about sharing her thoughts on current events or going against the grain. She spoke her mind about all manner of topics and issues, from the political, to the actions of public figures, to the happenings within her circle and community. She was generous in giving her time and resources to support education, the arts, the community, and others in need. She will be deeply missed and remembered fondly by those who knew and loved her.

A celebration of life will be held in Oklahoma City at a later date. The family suggests that donations in Kathleen’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Arts Council Oklahoma City.