Audrey Johannsen

Audrey J. Johannsen, age 91, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will take place Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Morgan Township Cemetery in Schleswig, Iowa at 2:30 p.m. Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 3-7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

 Audrey Joan Leidholdt was born August 29, 1932 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin 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, Kansas. 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, Iowa. To this union three sons were born: Mark Christian, Jess Christian, and Seth Christian.

 While living in Omaha Audrey was employed by the Midwest Market Research Company and served as its Director. After moving to Spencer, Iowa in 1966, she served as President of the Clay County Heart Association, was a member of the 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, Nebraska, Jess (Dr. Ann) of Claremont, California, Seth (Kay) of Harlan, Iowa, and six grandchildren: Lindi, Chelsey, Lacy, Tyler, Holly, Jeff, and 9 grandchildren, and sister-in-law Harriet Leidholdt of St. Charles, Missouri.

 Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Shirley Leidholdt Kritchman, and her brother Rev. James H. Leidholdt.