Audrey was known by those especially close to her as the person who would meet the challenge and achieve success. She was generous with her time and efforts and wanted to help those around her. Audrey was only 75 years of age and filled every one of them with family, friends and experiences which were significant to others and of value to her.
Audrey received her call and made her departure on Saturday January 5, 2019. She had a difficult struggle with cancer for four and a half years. She could complain about the medications and treatment, but never a negative word about how it affected her physical and emotional state of being. Audrey was born in Waseca and grew up on a farm near Waterville, Minnesota. Preceded in death by parents, Gladys and Raymond Ballman. Survived by husband, Larry; sisters, Carolyn (Marlow) Roessler and Christine Edwards; brother, Curtis (Jo Ann) Ballman; Audrey also leaves behind many precious nieces and nephews. She was especially attached to them and in constant attendance at all significant holidays, family events, birthdays and numerous family gatherings. She was with them from diapers to crayons and to adulthood. Audrey was fully committed to family and saw to it that they were remembered with gifts; school and family outings; back to school shopping; hosting trips to the Children’s Theater, Valley Fair and Minnesota Zoo; treating her parents to vacations they could not afford and numerous other events.
Audrey did not have many of the basic fundamentals that her peers had. She was challenged physically, emotionally and intellectually all the years she was growing up. This was a blessing in disguise, since it created a strength and determination which could not be denied. It showed up in her academic performance as class salutatorian. After high school, she enrolled in a local business school, but could not afford to continue. A job became top priority and was obtained at Green Giant Co. performing office and clerical work. Then came an opportunity to join a friend and go to Seattle. Audrey found administrative clerical work at a department store. She spent about two years at each of these jobs and reinvested some of her earnings back into advanced training and education. When she returned to Minneapolis, she was fortunate enough to find a job with Bemis Co. Her first position was an administrative assistant for the V.P. and director of marketing. Audrey realized very quickly that she had found a job with interesting challenges, wonderful people, and liberal benefits. She enjoyed the best in all forms of training and computer skills and was put on track for the company’s 20 year club. Her tenure lasted about forty five years. In this time she supported a number of the top executives, performed many special projects and was head of the company foundation. These were the special years where she met many challenges and achieved success every time.
A celebration of Audrey’s life will be held, Sunday May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sunset Kapala-Glodek Funeral Home and Cemetery (2250 St. Anthony Blvd., NE. MPLS.)
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