Audrey Schwartz
February 21, 1931 - January 29, 2016
Obituary
Audrey Lou Schwartz, age 84 of Darlington, WI, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2016, at CrestRidge Memory Care in Dodgeville, WI.Audrey was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 21, 1931, the daughter of Orval & Irma (Stebleton) Bentall. She was raised in Shenandoah, Iowa, and graduated from Shenandoah High School. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State College with a B.S. in elementary education. Audrey taught kindergarten for four years in Ames, Iowa, where she met and then married Dr. Ralph Schwartz on June 16, 1957 in Ames. They moved to Darlington, WI, on December 1, 1958. Audrey thought she was fortunate to be able to help her husband, a veterinarian, with the office in their home, and still be home to raise their four sons, who survive her. Audrey enjoyed cooking, often reading cookbooks as though they were novels. She also liked to discuss politics and to spend time with friends & her family. She had a ready smile and many stories to tell, especially about her days as a teacher.She is survived by her sons: John (Mary) of Mt. Horeb; James of Katy, TX; Joseph (Kathryn) of West Bend; and Jay (Maryna) of Frisco, Texas; six grandchildren, Julianne, Jacqueline, Jessica, Hayden, Hudson, & Holden; nieces & nephews, including Julie (Doug) Smetana of Kansas City, MO, Barbara Wales of Odenton, MD; and Joanie (Dan) Jones in Indianapolis, IN; and her brother Stanley (Adela) Bentall of New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Janice Wales; her niece, Marilyn Wales; and her husband Ralph, who died on January 8, 1998.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet St, Darlington) with Rev. John Bosco Pudhota officiating. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Erickson Funeral Home (508 Main Street, Darlington) and on Friday from 10:30 A.M. until 11:15 A.M. at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, Audrey's family plans to use any memorial gifts in her honor to benefit education in Darlington
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Memories
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Barb Wales
Other •
I remember the gatherings, as we were growing up, with the Schwartz and Wales Families, with our Bentall Grandparents. I have such fond memories of Aunt Audrey. She was a warm and loving aunt, who thoroughly enjoyed sharing herself with her nieces. I remember how supportive she was when Marilyn died. I know that Mom so appreciated having her sister there supporting her. I hope that we Schwartz' and Wales' will stay in touch and get together and tell our family stories so that our children will have a greater sense of the love that Audrey and Ralph gave to the Wales' family. My kids never knew my mom (but did have a loving grandmother with Alice Lea when Dad remarried), but I would love for my kids to have our stories. My prayers for John, Jim, Joe, and Jay and their families. Let's meet sometime soon and remember our families! Love, Barb Wales
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Rhonda Norrbom
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I remember Audrey coming to Christmas with all the Norrbom's one year. I suggested that she "come sit at the adult table" and she replied "nope, with all these little ones is where I'm most comfortable". Keep in mind it was a passel of little Norrbom kiddos filling the table up, but she looked like she was having a grand time talking with all of them. From then on my kids have always thought of her as "Grandma Audrey". Kind and loving is how we will think of her. She will be missed, but we know she is with the angels.
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Elaine Gundeck
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Sorry for your loss. Audrey was so nice to my mother and she and Ralph would go out to eat with my parents and with Charlie and Mary Alice Hartman, My mom really enjoyed it..
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Kristin Wargin
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John, Jim, Joe and Jay - My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of losing your mom. She and your dad are together and will be watching over you and your families.. May all your wonderful family memories bring you comfort in the days ahead. My dad always enjoyed going out and visiting with your dad and seeing the clydesdales. Center Hill will always remind me of my dad's John Deere business and the Schwartz house. Thinking of you in the days ahead. It is not easy losing our parents. Kristin Everson Wargin
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Kathryn Smetana
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The time I spent with my Great Aunt Audrey was filled with stories, laughter, and love. She shared many stories with me about her years in the classroom, and as I enter into the classroom as a teacher I will remember fondly all that she taught me. I know she will be dearly missed and admired for her ability to live her life with simplicity, sincerity, and love. Love, Kathryn
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Julie Smetana
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I have many fond memories of my Aunt Audrey. The kitchen was certainly a place that Audrey enjoyed; I guess cooking for 4 sons and a husband keeps you in the kitchen! Every dinner she made was great, and we got to share several meals together over the years. It was always fun to go through some of her cook books and recipes while visiting her home. I enjoyed watching her whip up her dishes and I learned much from her. For instance she would toast homemade bread and add cake frosting as a topping, My young children thought that was pretty yummy and our son Sean asked for it many times at home! While visiting Audrey and Ralph we would take a quick drive to see the farm and the Clydesdales. It showed this city girl a thing or two about farming and the care they gave to the horses. During our last visits it was heartwarming to know that even in her eighties, Audrey still had her girlish giggles. Audrey will be missed but I am so grateful for all the time shared with each other. With love, Julie Smetana and Family