Audrey Jane Vang

Audrey J. Vang, 80 of Devils Lake, ND died peacefully on December 31, 2008 at her home in the loving care of her family and Mercy Hospice after courageously succumbing to cancer, with her characteristic, unfailing, positive attitude. Funeral Services for Audrey will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Naomi Garber will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and time of sharing at 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Audrey will be Kenneth Thompson, Pete Pederson, Richard Martinson, Richard Lunde, Norris Fagerlund, I.F. “Izzy” LaFleur, Jack Traynor, Charlie Schumacher, Bob Durbin and Merle Clemenson. Music will be provided by Maureen Bertsch, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Audrey Jane was born on February 7, 1928 at Hoople, ND, the daughter of Hjalmer and Emma (Grand) Heder. She was reared and educated in the Hoople area, graduating from Hoople High School. She graduated from Valley City State Teacher’s College and began teaching in Finley, ND. Her second teaching assignment was in Crary, ND where she met her future husband, Donald Vang and they were united in marriage on June 7, 1953 at Hoople. They established their home in Devils Lake and this would be where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. Audrey taught at Washington Elementary School for several years and then joined her husband at Vang’s Jewelry working side by side until his death on March 7, 2002. She continued to operate the store until retiring in the fall of 2002. Audrey was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Order of Eastern Star and Beta Sigma Phi. Audrey’s life not only touched so many people, she had a deep and lasting impact on everyone whom she met. She was an original servant leader. Audrey was a teacher by profession, but also a natural teacher. Her dedication to her individual students allowed them to blossom. When working in the family jewelry business, she provided service over self to each of her special customers. Audrey maintained a very active life. Her special place was Wood Lake, where she socialized with all and taught legions of people of all ages to water ski. She was instrumental in reestablishing the Sky-Line Ski-Way enabling many to again downhill ski and also organized and taught swimming lessons to generations of students. Audrey also was an avid bridge player for many years. The special focus of Audrey’s life was her family and friends. There was always time for her husband, Donald and her “four girls”. (Janie, Kristi, Lisa and Sara) She was always a willing and gracious host to her innumerable friends, no matter the time of day. She so appreciated her opportunity to help others in any way possible. She especially enjoyed becoming a “Grandma” to so many area children. Her greatest gift to us was her servant leadership to make the world a better place for each of us, always with an unflinching, positive attitude. Her life’s work had made such a difference in the lives of so many. It is now our turn to continue the legacy of this extraordinary person. Audrey is survived by her loving family; her son, Doug Vang and his wife, Kristi of Fargo and her daughter, Janie Briss and her husband, Darren of Devils Lake; Her grandchildren: Lisa Knobloch and her husband, Evan of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Sara Vang of Fargo; Brother: Kenneth Heder and his wife, Mary Ann of Grafton, ND; Sisters: Anna May Duffey of Columbiana, Ohio and Mary Ann Baker and her husband, Donald of Anchorage, Alaska; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Minnie Vang; brothers, Harry, Willard, Leonard, Arvil and Norris; sisters, Vernice Roseno and Sylvia Van Fossen. Memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice Program of Devils Lake