Audrey Hawkinson

Audrey Carolyn Hawkinson, age 94, lifelong resident of Scandia was born on July 31, 1928 to Dorothy and Henry Julien.  Audrey passed away on June 4, 2023.  Growing up on a farm, she then married a farmer, Howard Hawkinson, in 1946.  Howie and Aud, as they were known, celebrated 64 years together.

There are a wide variety of chores and jobs in running a farm, along with many changes through the years, most of them welcomed. Horses gave way to tractors, electricity, indoor plumbing, just to name a few.  The threshing crew days had Audrey and the farm women preparing meals for the guys.  This made for a lot of work but also the chance to socialize and visit with neighbors.  She looked forward to the yearly event of preparing and freezing sweet corn with her sister, Joan, and brother-in-law, Ai.

It was never officially voted on but chances are the family would have chosen her rice pudding recipe to be her Blue-Ribbon dish, and let’s not forget about Christmas Dinner and Lutefisk! 

Later in life, a second home in Pine River, Minnesota enabled Howie and Aud to fish, golf, play cards and entertain.  Also, many a fishing trip, summer and winter, to Canada and northern Minnesota with organizers, Janet and Bruce Swensen, and others were a highlight. 

Elim was a solid rock for Audrey her entire life.  She was involved with the Alter Guild and her much loved Elim quilters group.  The hundreds of quilts that were made were donated to the Hennepin County Medical Center. 

Being with family and fiends was where she shined.  Her unselfish interest in what others were doing to a quirky, witty comment from time to time helped to keep everyone alert.

Audrey is preceded in death by husband, Howard; and sister, Joan.

She is survived by children, Carolyn (Phillip) Peper, David (Cathy) Hawkinson, Colette (George) Miller; 4 grandchildren, Amy (Jeff) Carlson, Brad (Sara) Peper, Carly (Reggie) Sohm, Neil (Emily) Hawkinson; 5 great grandchildren, Sam, Lily, Allie, Hunter, Alexis; and loving housecat, Oscar!

Many thanks to the entire staff and volunteers at Eagle Ridge Senior Living Center in Osceola, Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail N, Scandia, MN.  Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment at Elim Lutheran South Cemetery, Scandia, MN.

Memorials are preferred to Elim Lutheran Church.