Obituary of Helen Jane Trageser

Helen Jane Corner Trageser Helen Jane Trageser, a longtime Millcreek resident who for many years managed the old Halle’s Department Store, died Nov. 8, 2023 at the Manchester Commons Retirement Community. She was 97. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Mrs. Trageser was the youngest daughter of the late James O. Corner, a business executive, and Iva R. Potter, a private duty nurse. After her family settled in the Pittsburgh area, she graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School. Following her marriage to the late William J. Trageser, the family lived in Cleveland and Baltimore, and finally moved to Millcreek Township in 1955, where they raised their six children. After the marriage ended in divorce, Mrs. Trageser began her career in retail management. After several decades managing the Halle’s Department Store in Erie, she was named manager of The Jockey Store, also in Erie, where she remained until her retirement. Mrs. Trageser was long the center of her large, extended family, and her home the gathering place for holidays and many happy celebrations. When any of her clan moved to a new home, she was always ready with advice and a can of paint. When her busy schedule allowed, Mrs. Trageser enjoyed golf, and played many local courses. She enjoyed traveling and cruising with family and friends, visiting Britain, many European countries, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the American Southwest. She belonged to the Erie YWCA, where she took water aerobics classes. She also was an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Millcreek. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Trageser was preceded in death by her three siblings: James O. Corner, Malcolm D. Corner, and Clare Lombardi; her son Thomas J. Trageser; and grandchildren Todd J. Trageser and Katie Ann Trageser. Mrs. Trageser is survived by her children: Christine Roylance and her husband Frank, of Baltimore, MD; Terry Colwell and her husband John, of Naples, FL; daughter-in-law Carol Trageser, of Adamstown, MD; Wendy Onorato and her husband Paul, of Erie; John Trageser and his wife Karen, of Odenton, MD; and Andrew Trageser and his wife Susan, of Pittsburgh, PA. Also surviving her are 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Friends may call on the family at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road, Erie, before a brief service at 11:00 AM. Inurnment service to follow at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3642 West 26th Street, Erie, Pa., 16506.