Audrey Lorraine (Simley) Gilbertson, 85, of Fertile, MN, formerly of Finley, ND, died on Sunday, April 25, 2010, at the Riverview Hospital, Crookston, MN.
Audrey was born on July 15, 1924, to Melvin and Josephine (Hogen) Simley at Finley, ND. She attended Finley School District, graduating in May of 1942, as Valedictorian of her class. While in school, Audrey drummed for marching bands and contests of all sorts. She also served as the secretary for the Superintendent all through high school. After graduating, she worked various jobs in the courthouse for her Dad, since he was County Judge and Clerk of Court for 16 years.
In 1944, Audrey and three girlfriends went to San Francisco looking for work. Since the war was on, they found good jobs with the Navy. Her stay was shortened because she became engaged to Arvid Gilbertson before she left. They were married on June 7, 1946, in Finley.
They made their home on a farm, where they raised cows, sheep, and grain. Their family was blessed with the two children—Kathleen and Mark. After the children were in high school, Audrey was employed in various part time jobs—secretary of Finley Farmers Elevator, Steele County Treasurer, and at First State Bank of Sharon for 12 years.
Arvid passed away on November 3, 1984, on the home farm they loved so much. Audrey continued to live on the farm for the next six years with the help of Mark and Kathy's families. In 1990, Audrey moved to Finley for the next several years. She moved to Summerfield Apartments, Fertile, in September of 2001, and entered the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in August of 2005.
Audrey enjoyed making things out of cloth with her fingers and sewing machine. She made clothing for herself and family and church quilts for people all over the world. She crocheted and knitted doilies and afghans, as well as fancy dish towels. Audrey also enjoyed texture painting. To say Audrey appreciated her family is an understatement—she loved and adored them.
Those who survive Audrey are her two children: Mark and Cyndy, Belgrade, MT, and Kathy and Glenn Netland, Fertile, MN; 6 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Alice Simley, Finley, ND, Mabel Anderson, Finley, ND, Helen Oby, St. Thomas, ND, and Della McKenzie, Denver, CO; several nephews, nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother, Truman Simley, two sisters, Ethelyn Vareberg, and Mildred Roske.

Funeral Services held at
11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 29, 2010
Concordia Lutheran Church
Fertile, Minnesota

Pastor Carl Hansen, Officiating

Nancy Christian, Organist
Congregational Hymns
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
"How Great Thou Art"

Special Music
Elaine Erdahl
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

Active Pallbearers
Audrey's Grandsons
Scott Netland Timothy Netland
Daniel Netland Kory Gilbertson
David Riegert Travis Westervelt

Honorary Pallbearers
Kelsy Gilbertson Amanda Riegert
Jan Netland Laura Johnson
Audrey's Great-Grandchildren

Interment
Pastor Denise Parrello, Officiating
Ostervold Lutheran Cemetery
Finley, Minnesota
(about 2:45 PM)