Audrey E. Kuhlmann

Audrey Eileen (Nunemacher) Kuhlmann at the age of 94 was called to her Heavenly home, on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at ValleyView Healthcare, Houston Minnesota.  She was a devoted, loving, supportive wife to Harley (Jim) Kuhlmann, a caring and attentive mother to six children, a wonderful mother-in-law, a blessed grandmother, a precious great grandmother, a sweet aunt, a loving cousin, a friendly neighbor, and a dear friend to many.  Audrey’s home was always open to all.  She loved to visit and catch up with folks concerning their lives.  She will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Audrey was born in a farm home near Scranton, North Dakota to Jacob and Margaret Nunemacher on April 24, 1929. She was selected the Healthiest Baby of the county.   She received a free photo session to which her mother proudly took her.  Pictures were rarely taken due to cost so this was a precious treasure for the family.  She was baptized in the name of our Lord on August 7, 1929.

At age six, Audrey attended a rural school, which housed grades first thru eighth.  During the bitter blizzard wintery weather, her mother along with other moms, would camp out in the school basement with their children so they wouldn’t miss school.

At age seven, her family moved to Hokah, Minnesota because of the severe drought in North Dakota.  She attended Hokah Public School and graduated eighth grade.  Graduation was a big deal in Houston County with a joint graduation for all the elementary schools taking place in Caledonia, Minnesota.

She chose to attend high school in Houston, Minnesota.  It is here that Audrey made several lifetime friends. Audrey and her friends, along with their husbands, have gathered together over the years for dinners.  They have supported each other during good times and rough moments of life.

Audrey always had a love for music.  She participated in band, choir, and vocal groups during high school as well as class plays. The organist at Zion Lutheran Church in Hokah agreed to give her piano lessons as long as Audrey’s mother would do the organist’s laundry. Audrey became a fabulous piano player. She wanted to inspire others to play as well so, she began to teach piano lessons herself.  She even taught her own children!

After graduating salutatorian from high school, Audrey continued her education at Winona State University.  Education was expensive so she was a dormitory waitress to defer the cost.  She graduated with a two-year Elementary Education Teaching Degree and began her teaching career in Lake City, Minnesota at the Lake City Public School District.  Audrey loved this beautiful city and taught here for three years.

It was during her high school years that she met her soulmate, Harley (Jim) Gene Kuhlmann.  This courtship lasted seven years before their marriage began on June 20, 1953.  Why seven years?  Audrey wanted to attend college and teach a few years before marriage.  Harely (Jim) was willing to wait for this beautiful, caring, lovely gal.  This union was unique and rare as it lasted 67 years before Harley (Jim) was called home to his eternal peace.

When children arrived in this marriage, Audrey and Harley (Jim) made the decision for her to stay home with their young children.  Audrey taught piano lessons while her mother watched the children.  She also did a little home bound teaching and long-term substitute positions for the Brownsville Minnesota Public School District.  After ten years, Audrey returned to teaching full time for the La Crescent Hokah Public School District.

Audrey taught fifth grade for most of her career.  She loved each one of her students and expected them to always give their best effort.  While teaching, she continued her education at Winona State College and completed her four year BS degree. Her sons fondly remember taking their mom golfing so she could pass her PE class!  She was the communicator for the school’s referendum.  She received the district’s 300 Spirit Award.  In 1994 she was voted Teacher of the Year and is listed in the Who’s Who in American Teachers. She retired from teaching in May of 1997.

Besides teaching, Audrey was passionate about her Lord and His church.  She served Him well as a long-time member of Zion Lutheran in Hokah, MN.  She was confirmed on October 29, 1944 by Rev. E. G. Hertler.  She was a member of the choir and Ladies Aid.  She taught Sunday School and attended Bible classes.  She especially loved teaching the music classes for Vacation Bible School.  She took over the duties of organist and played every Sunday for 33 years!  She loved accompanying the Children’s special programs too!  She enjoyed decorating the fellowship hall at church for every holiday or other special occasions.

Audrey had interests besides teaching and music.  She LOVED beanie babies.  She has been known as the Beanie Baby Queen.  If you stepped into her house, you would first see the entry with every space occupied by a beanie baby.  Harley (Jim) would lovingly take her to McDonald’s to get a kid’s meal which included a tiny beanie baby.

Audrey loved to collect coins.  Her grandchildren fondly remember getting birthday cards full of coins taped in neat little rows.  The state quarters were a favorite of hers to collect.

Audrey would tell you that she learned to cook using the Betty Crocker Cookbook.  She loved to cook for family and friends.  Sunday cinnamon rolls, Lincoln Log, pot roast, and macaroni ring salad were some of her families’ favorites. Even in her elder years, Audrey would take the time to bake chocolate chip cookies for her grandkids.  Nothing better than coming to Grandmas and finding those cookies on the kitchen table.  The kitchen was small, but what fond memories the family has of sitting squished around that table sharing a meal together.

Audrey loved to communicate with family and friends.  Her dining room table became one of her favorite spots in her home.  She would spend hours here handwriting a message of love, encouragement, and throw in a joke or two also.  Christmas time was her favorite time of the year to send a sweet handwritten message to family and friends even as far as Australia.

Audrey loved to travel and go to shows.  Family road trips were a favorite pastime of hers.  She loved to visit with family in North Dakota and Iowa too. She was thrilled to see the massive Pacific Ocean, walk the mall in Washington D. C., explore the Grand Canyon, and visit Yellowstone National Park. The Lawerence Welk show was a highlight during Harley (Jim) and Audrey’s courtship.

Audrey’s health may have prevented her from travels in her elder years but she was an avid reader, and books can take you places that you might not ever see.  She loved the Love Inspired Books. Her dear friends kept her well supplied with books both old and new.

Audrey enjoyed attending all her children’s events from athletic events to musicals to band concerts to stage productions.  She loved sitting in the stands with her husband feeling so proud of their children.

Vikings and Twins are Audrey’s teams.  She loved to watch them on TV even when they were not on the winning side.  Family always said if mom wears her Viking shirt, the Vikings will win.

Audrey was proceeded in death by her loving husband, Harley (Jim), her beloved daughter Wanda Kaye, her parents, her dear sister Helen and her husband Henry, a much-loved brother Melvin, sister Florence, and son-in-law Dave Newman.  Audrey was the last surviving aunt on both sides of the family.

She is survived by her five children: Keith (Donna) Kuhlmann, Collierville, TN; Diane Newman, Apple Valley, MN; Kathy (Charles) Clark, Gladstone, MO; Daryl (Stephanie) Kuhlmann, Holmen, WI; Shelly Rae (Brian) Dickes, Fruita, CO.

Fifteen adored grandchildren: Andrea (Nicolas) Henley, James Kuhlmann, Andrew Newman, Christopher (Brianna) Newman, Nathan (Brandi) Clark, Brittany (Jordan) Gazdik, Josh (Alyssia) Kuhlmann, Abigail (Gregory) Marshman, Gabrielle (Cody) Woods, Callie (Glen) Borntreger, Alan Dickes, Erin Dickes, step granddaughter Cody Olson, and step grandsons Michael and Luke Shumway.

Eleven precious great grandchildren: Ashlyn and Daniel Henley; Bri Ella, Colin, Watson, Brenna, and Olivia Newman; Jordy Kuhlmann; Maximus Harley Marshman, step granddaughter Ava Marshman; and Scarlett Borntreger.

Harley (Jim) and Audrey were all about family.  They dearly loved their nieces and nephews. Audrey was a special aunt and loved receiving cards and phone calls from her nieces and nephews.  Each card and call brought a message of love, hope, and encouragement.

The family also appreciates all of mom’s friends.  You brought her much joy after the passing of her husband.

The family would like to thank Pastor John Unnasch for his many visits while mom was home bound and while she was in ValleyView, Janie Sanden for bringing her mail on a daily basis as well as those special treats, Steve and Joanie Johnson for being incredible neighbors to our mom, ValleyView heath care for their sweet and wonderful care of our mother over the last months of her life, and there are others too many to mention.

The family will receive friends Friday, December 29, 2023 from 4-7 PM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 111 S. Oak St., La Crescent, MN and on Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 10-11 AM at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 414 Main St., La Crescent, MN. A funeral service will begin at 11 AM at the church. Interment will be at Hope Cemetery in Hokah, MN following the service.  Friends and family are welcome to join Audrey’s family for a luncheon at First Lutheran’s Fellowship Hall in La Crescent.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Ladies Aid.

My hope is built on nothing less

Then Jesus blood and righteousness;

I dare to make no other claim

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand.