Audrey A. StevensIssue Date: November 25, 2020 Audrey Anne Stevens, 94, of Pembine, passed away unexpectedly due to Covid-19 on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020 at Aurora Medical Center, Bay Area in Marinette.
Born Sept. 15, 1926 in Milwaukee, to the late Theophil and Alma (Leetz) Gramza, she was raised in South Milwaukee, during the Great Depression and World War II, a member of the Greatest Generation.
She was a gentle, kind-hearted character throughout her life. Known for her good nature, an even-keel temperament, kindness and selflessness, she never forgot her roots and found purpose in serving others and offering a helping hand. She graduated from Milwaukee's Pulaski High School in 1944 and was an avid team member of the Pulaski Swim Club and the Aquatic Ballet Squad.
She worked in Milwaukee as an aircraft supercharger blueprint reader and helped to make torpedo casings and aircraft landing gear. At the end of WWII, she met and married Gordon Starck and gave birth to her first child, Sandra in 1951 and was divorced in 1953.
In 1956 she married Arthur "Ozzie" Branton and they settled in New Berlin where she gave birth to Robert and Patricia and worked as a Typist and Payroll Secretary for Gateway Trucking in Milwaukee. They moved to Pembine in 1968 from Milwaukee, where they owned and operated Ozzie and Audrey's Beecher Bar until his death in 1977. She later worked until retirement for many years at Bank North in Pembine.
She married William "Bill" Stevens in August 1989 and they enjoyed many years together in Pembine and wintered in Florida. A homemaker, she was the ideal wife, mother, grandmother, cook, washer, bottle cleaner and was content in her tasks. She was happiest when friends and family filled the kitchen table. Almost every morning, a kaffeeklatsch of friends, family, and neighbors shared conversations, stories, and town news. She kept moving even at age 94.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, bingo, golfing, bowling, reading books and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and solving its crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy each night and solving the jigsaw puzzles. She also liked to play bingo and visits to a casino (and Las Vegas) with her husband, family and friends. She was widely known and active in community service in the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Lions Club International and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pembine.
She is survived by her husband of 31 years, William Stevens of Pembine; two daughters, Sandra Starck of Eau Claire and Patricia Branton of Green Bay; a son, Robert and Kathy (née Davido) Branton of Sussex; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Alma and Theophil Gramza; two brothers, Jerome Grams and Robert Grams; two sisters, Charlotte Buckton and Shirley Immel; first husband, Gordon Starck and second husband, Arthur Branton.
A Lutheran graveside burial service will be held at the Pembine Cemetery on Nov. 30 at noon, with Pastor Gene Wickman officiating. Masks and Social Distancing are required. Due to the pandemic, no Church service or wake will be held at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Condolences can be made online to Roubal Funeral Home at www.roubalfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial charity gift can be given in her name to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pembine WI., W8014 Minnie Street, P.O. 117, Pembine, WI; 715-324-5899; pembinegrace@outlook.com Roubal Funeral Home of Wausaukee is assisting the family with arrangements.
Recent stories, opinions and photos
|
| |
|
Yes
No
Undecided
