Psalm 23 1  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Calvin "Cal" Frederick Traver, age 85, passed away at his home in Mazomanie on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. He was born Sept. 19, 1939 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Melvin and Luella (Weiland) Traver. His father Melvin tragically died the following January in 1940. His mother Luella made the move to Wisconsin where she married Art Zirtzlaff. Cal graduated from Cedarburg High School; class of 1957. Shortly after his graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Amarillo TX and Sheyma Island, AK. Upon his honorable discharge, Cal joined the Army National Guard, serving with the 13th Evac. Hospital Unit.

Cal was united in marriage to Joan Mabbott on Oct. 3, 1981; recently celebrating 43 years together. Cal worked for the Madison Police Department; first working the beat, later working in Narcotics, and then as a Detective Supervisor retiring from the Dept., in 1990 after 28 years of service.  Cal and Joanie made the decision to move from the Madison area and built a new home in Mazomanie. Cal also joined his father in-law (Shimmel), sister and brother in law , Jeanne and Paul Miller (Brad & Jason) at Spellman Monument Company.  Cal and Joan loved traveling with favorite destinations including Las Vegas, Hawaii, and 10 trips to Australia from 1998-2018.

Cal is survived by his wife of 43 years Joanie; his children Scott (Madeleine Melios) and their children Sarah, Thomas, and Lauren, Lorrie (Barry) and their children Megan, Courtney, Jessica, Allison, and Kelsey, Mark (Melissa) and his children Sarah and Heather, John II (Cynthia) and their children John III, Nicholette, Anthony, and Denette, James (Kandie), Joe (Lori) and his children Austin, Codi, Shelbi;  sister in-law Kathy Zirtzlaff, nephew Andy Zirtzlaff, special family members Grant, Debbie, Turk and Lisa, and his 19 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, John and Gary Zirtzlaff, nephew Donald Zirtzlaff; granddaughter, Ashleigh Melios-Traver, and former wife and mother to his children, Lynell Rabl.

A funeral service for Cal will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 at 12:00 noon at Hooverson Funeral Home, 251 Water St., Sauk City. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 am until the time of service. Interment will be held in the St. Aloysius Cemetery, Sauk City with Military Honors accorded by Lachmund-Cramer VFW Post 7694.

Memorials may be made in Cal's name to U.W. Carbone Cancer Center or the American Heart Association.