Audrey Barnes

Audrey Barnes

On January 3rd, 2011 Audrey Barnes was quietly taken from the loving embrace of her family.

She started life in Jamestown, North Dakota on January 9th, 1931 born to Dorsey and Pearl (Fischer) Doyle.

Her father died when she was four years old and she was raised with two brothers and a sister, by her mother, to whom she developed an especially deep and loving relationship. She is survived by her sister, Vernell Erickson, Jamestown, ND.

From an early age, Audrey displayed a wonderful sense of caring for those around her, easily making friends which made her fun to be with. Yet, it was all balanced by a strong set of values, hard work, honesty and loyalty. This, along with her loving and inclusive nature, made her the person everyone wanted to call friend.

After graduation from Jamestown High School in 1949, she began working as an operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company until her retirement in 1983. At that time she had advanced to a management position, training personnel at businesses and law enforcement agencies throughout the state of North Dakota. In 32 years of service one of her many accolades was a 30 year accident free award.

She married her high school sweetheart, Larry Durand in 1951 at Oxnard, California. They settled back in Jamestown starting their family of three children, Daryce Van Hoff of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Elaine (Thomas) Elledge of Wasilla, Alaska and Larry (SueZ) Durand of Minot, North Dakota. In 1963, they moved to Grand Forks where she remained until she retired. At this time she met and married Winston (Barney) Barnes of Tioga, North Dakota and added three adult children to her "family" list, Pam (Skip) Brilz of Strasburg, Colorado, Linda Midboe-Moe and Christie (Conley) Eide both of Tioga, North Dakota.

Audrey and Winston spent the next 20 years enjoying life, especially traveling through the US, Canada and Europe, sightseeing and visiting family and friends. The last years of their marriage, she faithfully cared for him until his death of Alzheimer's in 2010.

True to her nature, Audrey loved most things, but making everything fun and including everyone was her greatest pleasure. She was a Girl Scout leader and an enthusiastic booster club member, and a strong CWA union leader. She was proud to say she always voted and supported issues she believed in.

In 1974, she served as State President of the Business and Professional Women's Club of America. She attended many national events in the 30 years of membership. In 1979, Phi Beta Lambda named her North Dakota Business Person of the Year. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary. As a member of the Telephone Company Pioneers she joined their clown group, where she was known as "Red", entertaining in many nursing homes.

In Tioga, she joined in all the Handy Mandy Homemakers projects with her usual enthusiasm. During Tioga's centennial she served on many committees, co-chaired the 100 year fashion show and co-authored the centennial book. Other interests included scrapbooking, bowling and collecting stamps, coins, clowns, key chains and match books, it seemed everything interested her. But nothing more than her family, from football games to ballet recitals, her family including nieces and nephews could always count on her to be in the stands cheering. In her later years, she helped organized and plan the activities of "the chicks", a gathering together of her sister, daughters, nieces and granddaughters.

Audrey had nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild to be blessed by her love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John and Dorsey Doyle, a brother-in-law Floyd Erickson, step-daughter Linda Midboe-Moe, husbands, Larry Durand and Winston Barnes.

Audrey always valued her friends and family more than anything and her entire life reflected this.

The family is sincerely grateful to Hospice and Kari's Angels for their commitment, giving her precious days at home with her family.

The Visitation will be held Friday, January 7th, 2011 from 3pm to 5pm and a Reflection Service to follow from 5pm to 6pm at the Thompson Larson Funeral Home in Minot, North Dakota.

The Funeral is on Saturday January 8th, 2011 at 11:30 am at the Thompson Larson Funeral Home.

Internment will take place in the spring in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Memorial contributions will be applied towards educational scholarships and may be directed to the Dakota Community Bank of Bismarck, Trust Department.

Those wishing to sign the online guest register or share memories of Audrey may access the online obituaries at www.thompsonlarson.com

Tags: obituaries

Sign the guestbook (1 comment)

Comments posted on this page do not reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are subject to approval and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in the forum.

Terms & Conditions