Audrey Joan Stensvold passed away quietly on December 19, 2009, at Golden Age Manor in Amery, Wis.
She was born on October 18, 1931, in Lida Township, near Vergas, Minn., to Peter and Lorene Pfeiffer. She graduated high school in Pelican Rapids, Minn. After high school, she completed nurses training at the School of Nursing, Hamline University, and was employed at the Mound Park Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. In the 1950's, she started nursing at the hospital in Amery, eventually becoming director of nurses. In 1956, she married Magnus Stensvold, a farmer and milk hauler from Deer Park, Wis. Audrey gave birth to a son whom they named Lon, their only child, in 1957.
Back surgery forced Audrey out of nursing in 1970. About that time, Magnus, an avid bowler, had seen a bowling alley listed for sale in Pelican Rapids, the town where Audrey had gone to high school. They decided to pull up stakes and give the bowling and dining business a try. While it was great being closer to Audrey's family, they soon discovered that running a bowling alley and supper club wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. In 1972, they purchased a farm across the road from the land that they still owned in Deer Park. They could not get the bowling alley sold quickly so they could not move back right away. Eventually they sold the bowling alley, but three years of crop failures and rising interest rates meant that they would need another source of revenue to help keep the farm. In 1976, they purchased Deer's Bar in Deer Park, a business they ran until 1993.
In 1986, Audrey's nursing friends talked her into trying to get back into nursing. That was a monumental task after being away from nursing for so long, but she accomplished it with flying colors. Toward the end of her nursing career, she worked in the coronary care unit, sometimes taking care of several patients at once. In 1998, another back surgery forced her to leave nursing for good, much to her dismay. She loved nursing and was good at it. Every so often people would recognize her and thank her for her excellent care that she had given them or a family member, even though she had been out of nursing for over 10 years.
In 2002, the property that they had purchased in 1972 was sold and Audrey and Magnus built a new house back across the road. Audrey loved her new house and having company. Failing health kept them from traveling but they managed to find ways to entertain themselves. Audrey loved to write and was very good at that too. While working at the hospital she belonged to an informal group called the Night Writers. She wrote profiles in the hospital newspaper and continued to do so even after she retired. She also belonged to a group called the PoCo Penners and was very sad when her health kept her from attending meetings.
Audrey enjoyed many things in her life but few as much as spending time with dear friends Bill and Nancy Cain. In better times, Audrey and Magnus took many trips to Branson, Mo. They also had a tradition of getting together once a week to play cards and have a meal. That tradition lasted for over forty years, minus the years spent in Minnesota. It sadly ended with Bill's passing a few years ago. Nancy has continued to be a true friend.
Audrey was close to her family, especially her sister Jennifer; they shared many letters, emails, and visits, through good times and bad. With Jennifer's help, Audrey was able to travel to England, Europe, and Texas, all trips that she thoroughly enjoyed. Jennifer was also very active and helpful in managing Audrey's health care. She has always been a devoted sibling.
Audrey was a strong, kind and caring person who will be missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Lorene Pfeiffer; her brother, Francis Pfeiffer; and husband, Magnus Stensvold.
Survivors include her son, Lon of Deer Park, Wis.; brothers, Gale (Cheryl) Pfeiffer and Gary (Joan) Pfeiffer of Vergas, Minn.; sister Jennifer (Richard) Cummings of El Paso, Texas; her sister-in-law, Mavis Pfeiffer of Vergas; and brother- and sister-in-law, Ken and Peg Stensvold of Owatonna, Minn.
Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, and one hour prior to services at the church. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 23, at East Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Amery. Burial will be at Amery Cemetery.
Arrangements were made with Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Amery. Sign on-line guest book at www.williamsonwhite.com.
(New Richmond News - Thursday, December 24, 2009)
