Audrey Euneau

Audrey J. Euneau, 97, passed away at Dougherty Hospice on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 

Audrey Jean Parr was born on her grandparents’ farm in Tamarack Township, Marshall County, MN on December 30, 1928, to Frank & Agnes Parr. She grew up on her parents’ farm between Stephen and Argyle Minnesota. She attended a one room schoolhouse and later attended high school in Stephen, graduating in 1946. She was ahead of her time and attended college at the University of North Dakota, studying home economics. There she met her husband, Howard Euneau which she wed in 1948. She was welcomed with open arms into a large Native American family. 

Audrey and Howard began a family of their own with the arrival of their son, Craig, in March of 1949. Howard entered the federal workforce that brought many adventures for their family. She supported his career and took care of her family while they moved across the United States, from coast to coast and in between. When living in Fairfax, VA they welcomed their daughter, Cathy in 1959. One of their greatest adventures was on St. Paul, one of the Pribilof Islands in Alaska where together they broke down barriers for the Aleut people and created a welcoming environment for all. She was always ahead of the times, leading with her heart and kindness. Eventually, their adventures led them back to South Dakota and eventually to Aberdeen, SD where she resided until she moved to Sioux Falls in 2023. 

She always enjoyed sewing and worked in retail fabric over the years. She was working at the World of Fabric in Aberdeen, SD when she lost her husband in 1973 and remained working there until they closed in the 1990’s. She inspired many sewers as a creative seamstress and worked hard to create things of beauty for others, including her granddaughters, neighbors, family and friends.  She taught people to sew, giving her skillset to others that will live on. 

Wherever she lived, her love of gardening was clear. Like her mother, she has always had a beautiful garden full of blooms and a large variety of flowers. She maintained a garden through the many moves with her family, and the plants she tended to remain today at the home she lived in independently until her death, and at the homes of her family. Unless the weather was poor, she could be found tending to her plants. 

Her ability to create beauty was strong as she could grow anything, create anything, and most importantly make everyone around her feel loved. She would do anything for anyone, often spending hours of her time creating things for others. As her family of four grew into the large family it is today, she always had enough love to give her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and bonus-family. She enjoyed spending time with those she loved and looked forward to every visit. She learned to Facetime to stay connected with everyone face to face, becoming an avid iPad user, mastering many online games. 

When her family was with her, she could often be found cooking for them in the kitchen, making favorites such as porcupines, oatmeal, Norwegian meatballs, and always offering a bowl of ice cream. She taught family to make lefsa and was a joy to have during any event, keeping everyone busy working on a puzzle. While family continues to gather, we will remember her each time we play cards, make a batch of meatballs for Christmas, craft something new or open a new puzzle to complete together. 

She was proceeded in death by her sister, Norma Anne, father, Frank, mother, Agnes, husband, Howard and many beloved family members. She had said the one part that made living as long as she had so hard, was losing those she loved. We know that she is now reunited with those that have gone before and is at peace. Her acceptance of others and constant kindness is something we should all strive to emulate in our own lives. She will be forever loved. 

Join us in celebrating her life on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:30 am at Heritage Funeral Home, located at 4800 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD. Burial will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 3pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen, SD. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your nearest cat rescue.