Audrey Jean Engelhard

Audrey Jean Engelhard, 86, Grano, ND, passed away Monday, October 16, 2023, in the Swing Bed Unit at the Kenmare Hospital.
Back in the early summer of 1937, on Thursday, June 17, Ambrose and Kathryn (Feist) Wald welcomed their first child, a daughter, Audrey Jean to their new family. Audrey was the only child for only 13 months. Since Ambrose was one of 11 children and Kathryn was one of 15, Audrey had many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Over the next 25 years, Audrey would gain ten siblings, 5 brothers (Don, Bob, Brian, Patrick and Tim) and 5 sisters (Mildred, Linda, Sandy, Valerie and Mona).
Audrey spent her childhood, up to the age of 12, on a farm near Norwich as well as other farms between Norwich, Granville and Velva. In the winter of 1948-49, Audrey and her siblings were unable to go to school for two months due to the harshness of the North Dakota winter.
It was told that Audrey's parents wanted their children to have an education, so they moved to Karlsruhe after that severe winter. In March of 1949, Ambrose purchased a bar in Karlsruhe. The family lived in the back of the bar for several months before purchasing a home in Karlsruhe. Audrey did not particularly enjoy living in town, preferring the quietness of the farm. From an early age, she enjoyed country western music.
Audrey attended school in Karlsruhe and graduated with 16 other students in 1955 as the Valedictorian. After high school, Audrey attended Minot Business College. One of Audrey's first jobs was as secretary of Feist Construction. While at college, Audrey shared an apartment with seven other girls. She often spoke of walking to class always wearing a dress and high heels. Among her roommates were Marian and Darlene Engelhard and that is how she met her future husband, Elmer Engelhard.
Audrey and Elmer were married on November 14, 1956. They made their home on the Engelhard homestead in rural Foxholm. Audrey and Elmer had seven children over the next ten years. Audrey was a busy wife, mother, and dairy farm helper. She never seemed to sit down since she was always cooking, cleaning and sewing. Many nights were spent sewing the family's clothing after everyone was asleep.
Audrey became a young widow at the age of 50 when Elmer died at the age of 53 on October 4, 1987. A few years after Elmer's death, Audrey moved to Grano where she owned and operated Grano Lakeside Lounge for 26 years. Her only day of rest was Sunday. She enjoyed her customers and remembered all the details of their families. Audrey had two rules in the bar: no arguing and no swearing! Those who wouldn't abide by those rules were asked to leave.
After retiring, Audrey moved to Brentmoor Assisted Living in Minot. In March of 2020, she moved to the Good Samaritan Home in Mohall. Audrey spent the final week of her life resting peacefully in the Kenmare Swing Bed Unit of the Kenmare Hospital.
Her loving family includes: Children, Curt (Debi) Engelhard, Donnybrook, Kim (Bruce) Bloms, Carpio, Tige (Ardel) Engelhard, Bismarck, Colette (Jerry) Cunningham, Lansford, Char (Kerry) Ulberg, Foxholm, Connie (Jim) Vendsel, Lansford, Corinne (the late Eldon) Strand, Grand Forks; Grandchildren: Travis (Summer) Engelhard, Amy (Kiel) Ova, Emily (Hayes) Feilmeier, Noel (Kelly) Madsen, Erin (Joey) Berg, Paxton Engelhard, Parker Engelhard, Lacie Cunningham,Taylor (Brandon) Weber, Logan (Lauren) Cunningham, Amber (Ryan) Olson, Mallory Ulberg, Austin Ulberg, Hayley (Mike) Anderson, Drake (Corbyn) Vendsel, Aubree Vendsel, Riley Vendsel. Step Grandchildren: Michael Oberlander, Hannah Forschen, Brady Oberlander; Great Grandchildren: Isabel, Augustus, George and Hazel Engelhard; Oscar and Otis Ova; Bryce Hall; Matdy and Max Berg; Karlee Olson; Audrey, Addison, Aiden, Avery, and Auggie Anderson; Brystol Vendsel; Step Great Grandchildren: Cody Olson, Austin Olson, Kaitlyn Hanson; Sisters/Brothers and In-laws: Don and Bertha Wald, Minot; Charlie Bartsch, Velva; Bob and Carolyn Wald, Austin, TX; Carl and Sandy Valensky, Waterford, MI; Brian and Bonnie Wald, Minot; Mona Miller, Velva; Gerri Wald, Arlington, TX; Jack Savelkoul, Lolo, MT.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Engelhard; Parents, Ambrose and Kathryn Wald; Mother and Father In-Law, Isidor and Alice Engelhard; Brothers, Patrick and Tim Wald; Sisters, MIldred Bartsch and Valerie Wald; Sisters and Brothers-in-law: Marian Engelhard, Theresa Savelkoul, Darlene and Adam Richter, Rita Engelhard, Linda Powell; Son-in-law, Eldon Strand; Grandchildren, Matt Danielson and Lindsey Cunningham.
Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, October 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: St. Henry Catholic Cemetery, Rural Foxholm, ND.
Visitation: Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Sunday at 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to Thompson-Larson Funeral Home's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@thompson-larsonfuneralhome3198