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Audrey J. Johannsen, 91, of Storm Lake died Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will take place Thursday, June 13, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in Morgan Township Cemetery in Schleswig, at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 12, from 3-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake with the family present from 5-7 p.m.
Audrey Joan Leidholdt was born Aug. 29, 1932, in Chippewa Falls, Wis., to Carl M. and Mathilde Krueger Leidholdt. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
Her childhood days were spent in Chippewa Falls where she received her primary education with graduation from high school in 1950. She then attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kan. After obtaining a teaching certificate, she taught parochial school in eastern Iowa.
On April 17, 1953, Audrey and Ken M. Johannsen were united in marriage at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Iowa City. To this union three sons were born: Mark Christian, Jess Christian and Seth Christian.
While living in Omaha, Audrey was employed by Midwest Market Research Company and served as its director. After moving to Spencer in 1966, she served as president of the Clay County Heart Association, was a member of St. Luke Retirement Home Board of Directors and chaired events for the Spencer Centennial.
The Johannsen family moved to Storm Lake in 1977 and Audrey pursued one of her special interests — playing guitar and singing country music at Midwest and Texas music festivals. In her seventies she organized her own band, Miss Audrey and the Silver Dollar Band, and played stages at festivals in Iowa and Nebraska through the Midwest down to the Rio Grand Valley. She was a member of the National Traditional Country Music Association, Wahoo Traditional Country Dance Association and the Professional Musicians and Entertainers Club of Iowa.
Audrey was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod during which time she served in numerous capacities included Sunday School teacher, parish relations director and director of mid-week Bible school.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 71 years, Dr. K.M. Johannsen of Storm Lake; and three sons: Dr. Mark (Melissa) of Fremont, Neb.; Jess (Dr. Ann) of Claremont, Calif.; Seth (Kay) of Harlan; and six grandchildren: Lindi, Chelsey, Lacy, Tyler, Holly and Jeff; nine great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Harriet Leidholdt of St. Charles, Mo.
Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; sister Shirley Leidholdt Kritchman; and brother Rev. James H. Leidholdt.
