Audrey A Ortloff

Audrey A. Ortloff, 76, of Onalaska, WI passed away on Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. She was born in Winthrop, MN on March 2, 1936 to William and Alma (Luedtke) Barfknecht. She married Robert L. Ortloff in New Auburn, MN on June 29, 1954 and he preceded her in death on January 9, 2009.

Audrey is survived by her two daughters, Susan (Daryl) Applebury of La Crosse, Marjorie (Timothy) Gillespie of Desoto, WI., six granddaughters, one grandson, three great granddaughters, one great grandson, two sisters Marjorie (Norman) Nelson of Beaver Dam, WI., Karen Reamer of St. Bonifacious, MN. and one brother Marlyn Barfknecht of Gaylord, MN. In addition to her husband Robert and her parents, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter and two brothers.

Audrey was born and raised in Minnesota. When her parents lost their farm during the depression, being one of 6 children, she learned the value of a dollar. A lesson that stayed with her for her entire life and led to her compassion for those in need. Without fanfare or desire for recognition, she helped many family members, friends and people in need. She had the ability to sense when people were in need and was quick to extend a helping hand whether it be food, clothing, various necessities of life or just a phone call.

When her husband purchased a bank, she packed up the family, left her friends and relatives behind and moved to Wisconsin. Stoddard is where they made their home and owned and operated the Bank of Stoddard and later the Bank of Ferryville for over 20 years.

Her community service spirit led her to serve various volunteer organizations over the years such as the Lioness Club and of late the La Crosse Youth Symphony and the United Fund for the Arts and Humanity (UFAH). She generously donated to these organizations and others that she firmly believed in.

Audrey was a spiritual and religious person as well. And her service to her Heavenly Father and church was prominent in this area of her life also. She served as visiting teacher, at times Sunday school teacher and always as a potluck and picnic planner, being well known for many of her delicious recipes.

Her greatest joy was time spent with family and friends, especially enjoying her young grandchildren. She was called grandma by all and loved every minute of it.

She also loved to visit with those who spoke German. She had taken a German class many years ago just for fun and decided to host a German picnic at the end of the semester. This picnic has been an annual event ever since and has grown from 20 people to an attendance of well over 100.

Her social spirit was not lost when her husband passed away and she moved to EagleCrest. She quickly made many friends during the years that she lived there and thoroughly enjoyed the many activities and functions they have to offer. Conversations with Audrey were lively. No one ever walked away with any doubt of where she stood with topic discussed. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.



Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, September 28, 2012 at the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints; 701 Well St. Onalaska. Bishop Matthew Baker will officiate. Burial will follow in the Onalaska City Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse on Thursday evening from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. and again on Friday at the church from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services. Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army, the La Crosse Youth Symphony Orchestra or UFAH; (United Fund for the Arts and Humanities).