Audrey Jane Bastian

1926 - 2016

Bastian, Audrey Jane

Audrey Jane Bastian, age 89, a resident of the Lutheran Home and Health Services, was called to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday, April 13, 2016.

Audrey demonstrated her faith every day. When saying goodbye to a loved one, she would not only hug and kiss the person, but she would also place a cross on his/her forehead and say, "God bless you." So it was most fitting to have her favorite hymn, "Lift High the Cross," played as a testament to her beliefs.

Audrey's parents, Walther and Hildegarth (Leibau) Schmoller, were both of German descent and settled in Lannon, Wisconsin, where Audrey was born at home on October 18, 1926. She was the big sister to four loving siblings: Arlene, Diana, Elaine and Walter ("Wally"). Throughout their lives, they stayed in touch. When they could not see each other, they spoke by phone. All conversations ended with the saying, "One,two, three." That way, they hung up the phone at the same time.

Audrey attended Lutheran High School in Milwaukee where she met Elroy Bastian. They were married at Emmaus Lutheran Church on the beautiful wintry evening of December 28, 1946. They often told the story that as they left church that evening, the snow began falling. Do you believe in signs? As the family left the Lutheran Home on the Wednesday of Audrey's death, it began to snow - just like on Elroy's and Audrey's wedding night! They had a daughter, Cheryl, the following year, and many years later, a son, Todd. Elroy and Audrey's marriage lasted for 68 years until Elroy's death in 2015.

Audrey is survived by her daughter, Cheryl and granddaughters, Jennifer (Jim) Taylor and Heather (Eric) Reilley; son, Todd (Melanie) and grandson, Nicholas; step-granddaughter, Shani Quinn and step-grandson, Jeffrey Clark; great grandchildren, Allison Taylor, Abigail Taylor, Emily Taylor, Megan Taylor, Lauren Taylor, Katelyn Reilley, Madelyn Reilley; step-great grandchildren, Brennan Quinn, Michaela Quinn, Rachel Clark and Angelina Swart; sisters, Arlene (Wayne) Protzmann, Diana Hollfelder, Elaine (Ronald) Londre, and sister-in-law, Kathy Schmoller.

Audrey had many things she loved. Besides her faith, family and friends, she loved music, especially Tommy Dorsey. When she was in high school, she skipped classes because she wanted to see Frank Sinatra. Guess whose picture, capturing a girl jitterbugging, ended up in the newspaper the next day?

Another love was working with young people and serving the community. Audrey was a Sunday School teacher, a PTA President and a teaching assistant for the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Schools. For years, she was on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouting in Racine County where she oversaw the operation of day camps.

To anyone that knew Audrey, it was evident that she loved color. Her home was always decorated to the utmost with colors to match every season. Her wardrobe was comprised of all the bright colors that looked so good on her. Her nail polish, jewelry and lipstick always had to coordinate with her outfit. Amazingly, even after Audrey became legally blind, she could still put on her lipstick without using a mirror - a skill "inherited" by her daughter.

So it is with a heavy heart for those of us who knew and loved Audrey to say goodbye. Therefore, picture her in heaven, hugging and kissing you goodbye, placing the Cross of Jesus on your forehead and saying, "One, two, three." Then picture her going off to dance with Elroy.

Burial services will be held at a later date in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The family would like to thank the staff at the following: the Lutheran Home and Health Services, Agnesian Hospice Hope and Zacherl Funeral Home. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com