Hildegard Trainer Obituary

Hildegard Lieselotte "Chris" (Kaltwasser) Trainer

March 14, 1932 – July 20, 2025

Hildegard Lieselotte "Chris" (Kaltwasser) Trainer, formerly of Princeton, Mo., passed away on July 20, 2025, at Legacy Park Health Care Center in Knoxville, Tenn. She was 93.

Mrs. Trainer was born in Bad Schwalbach, Germany, on March 14, 1932, and was raised in the small village of Steckenroth. As a young adult working in a nearby city, she met and was courted by United States Air Force fighter pilot Orville L. Trainer Jr. They were married on May 11, 1957, and returned to the U.S., living in Kirksville while he attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State) before returning to Mercer County and making their home in Princeton.

She proudly became a U.S. citizen and learned how to drive a car as an adult. Mrs. Trainer and her husband owned and operated Trainer Implement Company in Princeton for a number of years, and she was a homemaker who found fulfillment in taking care of her family. Among her joys were baking and preparing food for family, friends and neighbors.

Mr. and Mrs. Trainer were long-time active members of First Christian Church in Princeton. She participated in a number of activities at the church, including the annual "Cookie Walk." She happily made dozens of cookies each year, including popular varieties decorated to look like both Christmas mice and holly leaves.

Mrs. Trainer enjoyed attending and watching sporting events and supporting her own children in school and sports activities in Princeton and actively cheering on the Princeton High School Tigers, Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. She later added the University of Tennessee's sports teams when her son attended school and became employed there. She also kept scrapbooks and photo books of her children and always enjoyed bringing surprise keepsakes to them each time she visited after they moved away from home.

After her husband of 61 years preceded her in death on Oct. 13, 2018, and she experienced some health challenges herself, she moved to Knoxville, Tenn., in October of 2019. Though she missed being with family and friends in Missouri, she quickly built new friendships with her Shannondale Assisted Living neighbors.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Trainer was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Mina Kaltwasser, and a brother, Horst Kaltwasser.

She is survived by a son, Eric Trainer (Laura) of Knoxville, Tenn., and a daughter, Staci Myers (Russ) of Barberton, Ohio, as well as six grandchildren, including granddaughter Laura Brown, and grandsons Daniel Moore, Darrell Myers (Amy), Anthony Myers, Cameron Trainer and Griffin Trainer, and three great grandchildren, including Elynna Moore, Katie Myers and Troy Myers.

Additionally, she is survived by a brother, Erich Kaltwasser (Ursula), and a sister, Erna Alberti (Herbert), of Germany as well as sister-in-law Linda Lowrey of Laredo, Mo., and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family will gather for a private Memorial Graveside Service in Prairie Ridge Cemetery, Modena, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Princeton, MO. The family will receive friends at First Christian Church in Princeton from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Christian Church of Princeton, Prairie Ridge Cemetery and/or Mercer County Senior Center in memory of Chris Trainer, in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 316, Princeton, MO 64673. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.

Another worthy organization close to the heart of Mrs. Trainer and her family is the Pat Summitt Foundation, which focuses on advancing research for treatment and a cure, providing care and support for patients and caregivers, and educating the public about Alzheimer's disease. Donations are accepted online at www.patsummitt.org and can be dedicated in Mrs. Trainer's name.

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