Traute Helene Bale was born in March 1936, in Heilbronn-Bockingen, Germany, where she survived multiple Allied bombings, diphtheria and the horrors of World War II. She is preceded in death by parents Helmut and Helene Westenberger, brother Manfred, and husband Ken. Sister-in-law Inge and nephews Jürgen and Thomas reside in Germany.

She left Germany in 1957 to study nursing in Wales. During her training she corresponded with Ken Bale who was a bush pilot for the R.G. Le Tourneau mission in Liberia, West Africa. After writing for two years, they met in Wales, got married in Germany, and honeymooned in Paris. They lived in Liberia for two years where daughter Heidi was born. They then briefly lived in Germany. During this time they toured Europe in their Volkswagen bus “Germania,” shipped it across the Atlantic on the ocean liner SS United States and toured the United States. They returned to the United States in May of 1965.

After settling in Baleville, outside Raymond, Traute maintained large flower and vegetable gardens and raised Heidi and sons Paul and Eric. She was a devout member of the Lutheran Church and worked in Home Health, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Title I and at the Penny Wise thrift shop. She was a Master Gardener and member of two garden clubs.

Traute loved history and travel and still considered herself a European. She traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East and North America.

She was a two-time cancer survivor. She is survived by daughter Heidi Bale of Raymond, son Paul Bale (Vickey) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and son Eric Bale of Huntsville, Alabama.

Arrangements are in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in South Bend. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Mercy Ships, Heifer International, or the charity of your choice in Traute’s name.