Audrey Jurovich

1935 - 2025

Audrey Marie (Bowen) Jurovich, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 3, 2025. Born on March 10, 1935, she lived a full, meaningful life, touching and caring for countless people.

Audrey was born in her aunt's home in Winnett, Montana, the eleventh child of Katherine and Dow Bowen. She grew up in a log cabin on the Musselshell River, where her father was a cattle rancher and her mother a homemaker and schoolteacher. Life on the river, far from neighbors, shaped her strong work ethic-growing up outdoors, yodeling while driving the tractor, moving cattle on horseback, and attending a one-room schoolhouse. Exceptionally bright, Audrey advanced quickly through school. At twelve she left home to attend high school in Jordan, Montana, living in a student dorm, and graduated at sixteen as Salutatorian.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Montana State University, supporting herself by working in hospitals in Bozeman and later Billings as a nursing instructor. While in Billings, she met her future husband, Robert Jurovich, on a blind date. They married a year later and settled in their home of sixty-two years on Billings' west end, where they raised their four children.

While devoted to her family, Audrey continued to use her nursing degree in various part-time roles, including overnight hospital work, a weight-loss clinic, conducting insurance exams, and returning to school to complete her Nurse Practitioner certification. Her final and longest-held position was as the school nurse at Rocky Mountain College (1973–2015), where she retired at age eighty. The RMC community became deeply woven into her and Bob's lives, providing friendships, sporting events, and educational opportunities for their children.

Audrey had a lifelong love of music and generously shared her talents. She sang and played guitar at events around Billings-often including her signature yodeling-bringing joy to many. She knew an astonishing number of folk songs, which she passed down to her children. Audrey's faith was strengthened by her devoted participation in the church choir. She and Bob also enjoyed square dancing in later years.

Her hobbies included gardening, crossword puzzles, pinochle, baking homemade pies, canning, and serving on various church boards and committees. Audrey and Bob were charter members of Mayflower Congregational Church.

Among her greatest joys were her nine grandchildren. She proudly displayed "Grandma Wagon" on her license plate for years. She delighted in enriching their lives, praying for them, welcoming their visits, and attending countless sporting events and milestones. Her love, generosity, work ethic, and humility made her a role model of selfless living.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Jurovich; her parents, Katherine and Dow Bowen; and three brothers and six sisters. She is survived by her children-Janna Jurovich, Amy Rients (Randy), Daniel Jurovich (Susan), and Mark Jurovich (Pam); her grandchildren-Kylie Chakraborti, David Jurovich (Giselle), Carter Rients, Anna Jurovich, Taylor Rients, Ryan Jurovich, Blythe Broman (Anders), Chloe Jurovich, and Quinn Jurovich; and one great-grandchild, with another on the way. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Christensen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Mayflower Congregational Church, 2940 Poly Drive, Billings, Montana, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or any charity of choice.