Audra G. Stoner McMillian was born on January 11, 1970 in Columbus, Nebraska to the loving parents of Dr. Dan and Dawn Stoner. She was refered to as the best birthday present her mother ever received as she was born on her mother's birthday. At the age of two the family moved to Yankton, South Dakota where her father entered into partnership with Dr. Robin Hacecky of Veterinary Supply and Services.
Audra went her entire 13 years of school in Yankton, SD graduating in 1988. Audra excelled in 4-H winning national trips to the Western Round Up in Denver and the Washington DC. Focus trip as well as 4-H International in Chicago for her excellence in the bread division. In addition she won many state awards and was Yankton County 4-H Queen in 1987 - 88. Audra was active in both dance and music and performed in numerous recitals. From the age of 16, when she started her first job, she was the delivery girl for 5 years for Pied Piper Flowers in Yankton, SD.
Audra graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology. While at the university she joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority where she served as Vice president of finances and house manager. She was also the treasurer of Phanellenic the student governing body of the women's Greek organization on campus. . She was on the University of Minnesota Dairy judging team which came in second in the nation.
Upon graduation she went to work for SAF yeast in Minneapolis and then for Quest Ingredients where she lived in Sarasota, Florida. In 1996 she joined Kerry Ingredients with US operations based in Beloit, Wisconsin. She was then transferred by Kerry to England working there for 7 1/2 years before being transferred back to the states, settling in the Atlanta area. She had been happily employed by Kerry for 17 years. One of her most honored work accomplishments was leading her team to be awarded the Domestic Vendor of the Year at the Focus Brands 2008 Worldwide Franchisee Conference in Orlando, Florida. Geoff Hill, President of Cinnabon, presented the award to Kerry Account Manager Audra Stoner. This same award was again presented to Audra in 2009.
Prior to returning to the states she joined PEO Chapter K in Yankton, SD having the honor of being initiated by her mother, who was the chapter president in 2004. In 2006 Audra demitted to PEO Chapter BI in Woodstock, GA. She has also maintained her membership at Trinity Lutheran Church of Yankton, SD.
Audra met her soul mate and love of her life, Jeff McMillian, in 2010. A fabulous wedding followed on October 1, 2011 in Cancun, Mexico attended by family and friends from 10 states and 2 foreign countries. Following their honeymoon, they settled in Woodstock, GA.
Audra is survived by her husband Jeff, her mother Dawn Happes Stoner of Yankton, SD, her beloved brother Darrell of Fountaintown, IN and his significant other Michelle Janiak, her mother-in-law Barbara McMillian of Decatur, GA. Also surviving are her aunts Una Schusler, of Hinckley, IL, Gail (Pedro) Beildeck of Hertford, NC, Sandra (Rod) Allen of Homer, NB, and her uncle Ken (Judy) Stoner of Homer, NB, numerous cousins, two very special "nieces", and a world of friends. She was grateful for the excellent care she received from doctors and nurses who cared for her at Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs, GA following her diagnoses of AML Leukemia on February 2, 2013.
She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Dan Stoner of Yankton, SD in 1997, her beloved grandparents, Donald and Clare Happes of Aurora, IL and paternal grandparents Bernard and May Stoner of Homer, NB. Also, one aunt, Faye Happes Caisse of Batavia,IL preceded her in death.
A fellowship celebration with family and friends will be from 7 to 9 September 6, 2013 at Woodstock Funeral Home in Woodstock, GA. A Christian Service will be held on September 7, 2013 at 10 AM at the Woodstock Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Baumgartner of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Woodstock, GA. officiating.
Additional services will follow in Elburn, Illinois and Yankton, SD. Internment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora, Illinois.
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