Audrey Androy

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     Audrey Rose (Nordaker) Androy, age 97 of Dunlap, Iowa passed away peacefully surrounded by family near midnight on February 23, 2023. Audrey was born on October 7, 1925, to John and Ella Nordaker on their family farm near Soldier, Iowa.

     She was one of seven children born and raised in Solider as a ‘first generation” Norwegian immigrant family, one of many in this little Iowa community. Audrey was baptized and confirmed in the Soldier Lutheran church. On March 21, 1942, she married the love of her life, Herman Theodore Androy, Jr. The young couple made their life together on a farm, nearby. Together they started their family, the first born were infant twins Leann and Baby Androy who did not survive. They went on to have four more children: Dennis Androy, Karen (Androy) Caldwell, Carol (Androy) Holst and Dean Androy and considered their nephew Roger Androy to be their fifth child and ‘adopted son’. While the constant work on the farm kept the family busy, they remained active in the church, with Audrey serving as long standing member of the Ladies’ Aide Society.

     Audrey and Herman retired from farming and moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa where Herman passed away, leaving Audrey a widow at 54. With the stoic self-sufficiency that is common among many who live off the land, Audrey’s retirement was not to remain idle. She continued with her passions of gardening, cooking, and being a grandmother with an extended family that now included ten grandchildren. While in Missouri Valley, she worked as housekeeper and aide to several families, often becoming part of the fabric of their lives as well, becoming “Aunt Audrey” to many.

     She eventually moved to Dunlap, to be near her youngest daughter Carol and her husband Ron. They helped to support her continued independence and ability to live on her own terms in her own home. As the years went on, Audrey’s extended family continued to grow and soon included fifteen great grandchildren most of whom lived close by and have many stories to tell of Christmas Eve’s spent together, countless baking lessons, endless homecooked meals and lots of hugs and laughter around the kitchen table.

     Audrey finally “officially” retired at 89 years young, continuing to bake for her family and friends, keeping the Norwegian tradition of lefse, alive and well. Over time, thirteen great, great grandchildren were born into the family and Audrey simply became known as ‘Gg’ to all…family and friends alike. She was the matriarch of the Androy clan and taught everyone so much.

     She often remarked with a great deal of surprise that she was not sure how come she was a lucky as she was…counting her health and family as her core blessings. While it is not a surprise to any who knew her, it certainly was something she never expected or took for granted. Her legacy is one of equal parts grit and gratitude with a good measure of grace…She may have been a first generation American, but she was the last of her kind.