Audrey Ann Werner

AUDREY ANN WERNER was born to William and Louise (Houselog) Werner on December 31, 1933 in Pipestone, Minnesota. Being one of six children on a farm, Audrey was in charge of certain chores, such as gathering water from the well and gathering eggs. Her father, William passed away in 1950. The family continued to live on the farm until 1963, when Audrey moved to Pipestone, Minnesota with her mother. After the passing of her mother in 1971, Audrey moved to the Faribault State Hospital and resided there until 1973. Audrey then moved to Glacial Ridge Training Center in Willmar, Minnesota. In 1974, she moved to Canby, Minnesota and began living in the REM facility. In 1989, Audrey moved to a community setting in Canby. While in Canby she attended the Canby DAC. She loved going to DAC which she referred to as “school”. Audrey passed away on May 18, 2018 at her home at the age of 84 years, 4 months, and 18 days.

Audrey was a person that just loved life and every day was a “Nice day” and at the end of the day, she would announce “day go fast”. There was never enough time in the day for Audrey to visit with all of the people that she was connected with. Audrey was always kind and would take some peers under her wing and offer comfort or support to them. She loved the time that she was able to spend with other peers, she especially loved the Friday game days, and when she won she would exclaim, “I told you me win!” Audrey loved shopping and receiving new things especially for her birthday and Christmas. Whenever a staff member bought a new watch or shirt she would ask where they got the item and then say, “Me need a new one”, even though she never needed a new one. Audrey enjoyed playing games, attending Special Olympics, going to camp, fishing and catching bugs. Audrey also liked to show off her muscles. Audrey truly loved butterflies. She would ask the staff to order Monarch butterfly larvae so that she could watch the little caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies. Much like the butterflies brought Audrey joy; Audrey brought love and joy to every person that she encountered.

Audrey is survived by her sister-in-laws, Lucille Werner of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and LaDonna Werner of Cottonwood, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; the staff and residents with REM; and many other loving friends and relatives. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Pearl Werner; and four brothers, Les, Bill, Bob, and an infant brother.