Audrey N. Lovelien

 

Audrey N. Lovelien, 89, of Lodi, passed away Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Larson House in Columbus, Wis.

Audrey was born March 15, 1932, the daughter of Russell and Alice (Jacobson) Larson, in Taylor. She attended Taylor schools and graduated from Taylor High School in 1950. She married Dayton, June 15, 1953. Shortly thereafter, Audrey and Dayton had a forced separation as Dayton went off to Naval Officer training school in Newport, RI. Audrey was left behind to complete her Nurses training at UW-Eau Claire. Halfway through a four-month OCS schedule, Audrey became an RN and arrived in Newport where Dayton had arranged a job in the local hospital plus a one-bedroom apartment with kitchen privileges. They remained in Newport where Dayton was enrolled in Communications School. Upon his graduation, they were off to Long Beach, CA, and a Naval destroyer, the USS Rupertus.

The couples’ next separation was for six months as Dayton was on a tour of the Far East. Audrey returned home, had their first child, Debra in January of 1955. When Dayton returned, and had some leave time, and they drove back to Long Beach where they had six-month respite before Dayton was off on another cruise to the Far East. Audrey remained in Long Beach and lived with another officers’ wife for the time Dayton was overseas. Dayton was mustered out of service after three years and they took up residence in West St. Paul, MN. Dayton worked for the Minnesota Conservation Deptartment while Audrey worked as a part-time nurse. Lynn was born in Whitehall, October of 1957.

The family of four and a black Labrador Retriever puppy moved to Hoffman, MN, where Dayton had obtained a Science Teacher position at the local school. Audrey worked for the local doctor at his office.

Two years later, Dayton was appointed high school Principal. Later on, he decided it was time to get serious about graduate school and took a one-year residence at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Dayton received his Master’s Degree and a job in Manitowoc as Wilson Junior High School Principal.

Dayton held his position for 21 years. Audrey worked as a nurse in area doctors offices and hospitals, and gave birth to their third daughter, Karen, in 1966. The couple retired in 1985, and began a period of traveling. Audrey worked for Trav-Corps, a nursing organization, for two years in the South. They lived on a 33-foot sailboat for three winters, and wintered in Tucson, AZ, for about ten years.

Audrey and Dayton totally enjoyed the cabin they built in 1970, and spent summers and some winter time skiing at its location near Eagle River. All were unhappy when they decided to sell and move to the the Madison area in 2002. The condominium they purchased was a good investment, and they were closer to their children and grand children as they were growing up.

Audrey is survived by her husband, Dayton, of Lodi; her three daughters: Debra Lovelien of Morrisonville, Lynn (Mark) Knickelbine of Mount Horeb, and Karen (Mark) Olinger of Virginia; her brother, Duane Larson of Denver; four grandchildren: Alison, Ezra (Alison), Soren, and Jack; and further survived by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial gathering will take place at Koepsell-Zeidler Funeral Home in Columbus, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, from 12:00 p.m., until the time of the memorial service at 1:00 p.m.

A memorial gathering will also be held at Taylor Lutheran Church in Taylor, Saturday, May 29, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 p.m.

Koepsell-Zeidler Funeral Home in Columbus is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.

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Trempealeau County Times

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