Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A funeral service for Audrey V. Donnenwerth was held Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Pallbearers were Jim Johnson, Ben Johnson, Roger Untiedt, Jon Untiedt, Brian Ruhle, Jim Hemphill and Pete Laven. Interment was in Harrison Township Cemetery at May City. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Audrey Verla Heldt was born in Terril to Rudolph and Dortha (Baker) Heldt on Aug. 26, 1925. She attended school in Terril until the family moved to Spirit Lake, where she graduated from high school in 1942.
Following graduation, Audrey worked at Osborne Insurance Agency and Gambles in Spirit Lake. On Jan. 13, 1946, she was united in marriage to Wilbur “Bill” Donnenwerth and to this union five children were born. The new couple began their life together on a farm south of Harris, living there until 1979 when they moved to Lake Park.
Audrey was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church at May City as well as Concordia Lutheran Church in Lake Park. She enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking, or being outdoors tending her garden. Visiting with friends was always a highlight, but she treasured the time she could spend with her family whom she dearly loved. Audrey was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and tried to watch as many of their games as she could, or any other sporting event for that matter, live or on television. She and Bill began spending family vacations in Minnesota with all of their children, a tradition that has spanned over 40 years.
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, Audrey passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley at the age of 95 years, four months and 24 days.
She is survived by her children: JoAnn (Ken) Carter, Mike (Mary) Donnenwerth, Jerry (Laurie) Donnenwerth and Amy (Troy) Jurgens; her grandchildren: Dave Carter, Chris (Dave) Wilwerding, Jesse (Jill) Donnenwerth, Abby (Rich) Ryan, Stacie Long, Shannon (Alex) Demkiw, Lisa (Marco) Gonzales, Luke (Megan) Donnenwerth, Michael (Amy) Donnenwerth, Kyle (Nikki) Donnenwerth, Leah Jurgens and William Jurgens; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bud; sisters: Wilda, Helen and Ena; her husband, Bill; son, Paul; daughter-in-law, Sheri; and grandson, Shane.
