Audrey Nissen

Audrey Nissen, 94, of Great Falls, died peacefully at Azalea Place on Thursday, April 24, 2014.A memorial service will be held at a later date in Deer Lodge. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Gladys Audrey Nissen was born on February 9, 1920 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Thomas Arthur and Stella Stewart Jones. She graduated from Central High School and Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She taught elementary school in rural South Dakota before moving to Harlowton in 1943 where her father found work with the Milwaukee Railroad.She was teaching in Harlo when she met Ted Thead Nissen. They were married on January 20, 1946. From this union a daughter Susan Kay and son, Glenn Edward was born.During her life in Harlo, she was a board member of the Harlowton City Library as well as substitute Librarian, Girl Scout Leader, a member of Eastern Star, and Harlowton Federated Church. She taught several years at the Shawmut Elementary School. In 1964, Ted was promoted by the Milwaukee Railroad and they moved to Deer Lodge where she was an elementary teacher until her retirement in 1980.Audrey was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Deer Lodge, where she served as an elder. She was an avid bridge player well into her 90s, as well as being skilled with jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. She studied genealogy with her daughter, Susan, keeping the family history well preserved.Her time on earth cannot pass without saying that she was a very special Aunt. She was like a second mother to us all. Everyone has fond memories of repairing books at the Harlo library, camping in Sammy the trailer, Deans seven layer birthday pie, the best ever Thanksgiving holiday dinners, and college getaways in Deer Lodge.Audrey is survived by her son-in-law, John Lerdal of Des Moines, IA; nieces and nephews Janis (Don) Williams of Red Lodge, Nancy (Orren) Reppe of Great Falls, David (Candace) Lewis of Clinton; Dean Lewis of Seaside, OR, Kathy Schlimgen of Great Falls, Tom (Beth) Lewis of Spokane, WA, and Jason (Bev) Lewis of East Missoula; sister-in-law Jean Nissen of Harlowton; the Nissen nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant son Glenn; and daughter Susan who died in 2010, a month after giving her mother a 90th birthday party; and two sisters Doris Key and Margery Lewis.The family would like to thank Dr. Stacy Kingsland, Sandy, April, Art, and the staff at the Azalea Place.Memorials may be made to the Harlowton "public" Library, Harlowton, MT 59036; Deer Lodge Presbyterian Church, Deer Lodge, MT 59722; or a charity of ones choice