Finally, Audrey has four children, two girls and two boys.  She has 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, the youngest of which she was able to meet about three weeks ago.  Audrey dearly loved her family and always wanted to hear about what they were doing for fun or sports, and how they were doing in school.  She appreciated all the visits from her family, especially during these last few years when she was not able to get out and about.  Audrey used to say,  "For being an only child, Idid not do too badly for myself!"

And now I want to say, from one only-child to another only-child, rest in a well-deserved peace my friend.

However, this collection actually served Audrey well when she was in Duluth concluding some of her mother's affairs at a bank.  Audrey wanted to close the account. She presented a death certificate to the banker and the banker told her that she needed an original , not a copy.  Audrey, who was very quick on her feet, told the banker that she ond one in the car and would be right back.  Audrey went to the trunk of her car and found a very special kind of tool.  She fit the piece of paper into the device, pushed down on the level and "wahlah" had a raised seal ot the certificate.  She gave the certificate to the banker, who merely felt of the seal and handed it back.  Audrey was able to accomplish her mission without coming back to Duluth the next week.

Your grandma was a COLLECTOR.  she collected the usual stamps and coins but also was a huge collector of family history.  At any family reunion, people would come to Audrey to answer their questions or give her additional information for her multiple books of family history.  But Audrey collected other things as well ...pens, pencils, reams of paper, candles, glue sticks, construction paper, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, books, encyclopedias, china.... the list goes on.  Her mantra was... "you never know when you might need something so it's better to keep it!"  Audrey's collections extended beyond the house and garage all the way to her car trunk.  If you were at the lake and needed a hat, gloves, scarf, etc, you went to Audrey's trunk.  If you needed some kind of tool, you might find it in her trunk.

In 2005, she heard about a band that a high school friend was starting at Westwood Lutheran and decided to try to play again.  She even talked me into picking up my horn, after 40 years.  Both of us remembered all of the fingerings of our instruments and, once we got our lips into shape again, we were happy to play in a band that started out with 17 members and grew to over 100!   Oh, by the way, Audrey's claim to fame was that she NEVER SQUEAKED playing her clarinet!

Your Grandmother Audrey was somewhat of an athlete and a fine musician.  Audrey must have known how to play broomball, as she and Wes hosted broomball parties frequently in the early years. Audrey could swim and waterski. She learned how to cross-country ski and skate.  She was actually a very consistent bowler with an average that would be helpful to her teammates on any given bowling night.  Audrey was able to play the organ, to some degree, having taught herself with those how-to books. Her main instrument, however, was the clarinet which she learned to play in junior high school. She stopped playing after high school and did not pick it up again until 50 years later! 

So when Friday nights came around, Audrey would plop Cecil in her purse and head for home. One Friday she remembered that she needed a couple of items from the local grocery store. After arriving, she put a few items in her cart and headed for the cashier. The cashier totaled the items and said, "That will be $14.50." Audrey opened her purse to get her wallet and ... out popped Cecil! Audrey recalled that the cashier could have won the gold medal at the Olympics for her speed in getting to the back of the store! I am not sure what the manager did, but it may have been ... "put the snake back in the purse, take your groceries and go." "You can come back and pay later." 

Audrey was a PET LOVER. She loved animals from a young age and, luckily, Wes, also felt that way. This allowed the Walberg household to be a home to a wide variety of critters. They had the usual dogs and cats but also had ... ducks, rabbits (many, many rabbits), hamster, gerbil, parakeet, mice, rats, 2 ferrets, and a bull snake named Cecil.  Kyle had found the bull snake one day and decided that he needed a home.  Cecil, the snake, had dual residences because he lived with the Walberg's on weekends and vacations, and lived at Meadow Lake during the school year.

I don't think there was a tool in the Walberg garage that Audrey did not know how to use. However, I will say that knitting may have given her a bit of trouble. She chose red, green, and white yarn to knit a scarf. She was so busy, keeping her knit and purl rhythm going, that when she finally stopped, instead of a scarf, she had knit a very large red, green, and white Christmas tree skirt!


Let's explore Audrey the LEARNER. Audrey loved to try new things. Her mantra was, "if someone can learn to do this task, I would bet I can learn it too." She learned calligraphy, playing the organ, interior and exterior painting, wallpapering, using the wet saw to cut tile, building decks, designing Ukranian eggs, throwing pots on the pottery wheel, developing film in the photo lab, painting Xmas village houses, turning wood on her lathe and many more skills.

Well, what 10 or 11 year old was going to turn down that kind of a dare.  So a couple of days later,  Audrey tries the verb tenses again. But her class is ready for her. They know what's coming and they are grinning. When she gets to the verb "bring", as a chorus they respond "brought, brought!" Then they wait...will she do it? Of course she will. Mrs. Walberg climbs up on a chair, shouts "Cowabunga" and jumps off.

She would say "sing" and they would say "sang, sung." Audrey would say "bring" and they would confidently respond with "brang and brung." They had the pattern, right? Wrong!  Audrey would explain that that was a verb that did not fit the pattern and said they needed to remember "brought and brought;"  You brought something to school.  You have brought something to school.  Mrs. Walberg then gave her class a reason to learn those verbs;  if they could remember that the past and past participle of "bring", she would climb up on a chair, shout "Cowabunga" and jump off.

Students in Audrey's classes, also wanted to make sure that they got to school each and every day because you never knew when Mrs. Walberg was going to do something unusual. Let's take verbs, for example. Audrey would engage her class in oral recitations of verb tenses, present, past and past participle by giving the present verb and they would call out the other two tenses. She would begin with ordinary ones such as "say, said, said" or "read, read, read." Then when they thought that they had a pattern going, she would say "ring" and they would respond with "rang, rung."

I want to tell some stories about Audrey and I think that her grand and great-grand children will have a much better understanding of who their Mumu was.  Let's begin with Audrey as a TEACHER. Audrey, in my option, was an excellent teacher.  She could teach the curriculum with ease but also took the time to instill in her students a sense of belonging and that they were a quality group. She told them that one of the ways they could show they were a quality group was to move through the hallways of Meadow Lake without causing any commotion, to show quality in other classes they attended such as art, gym and music, and to behave in a quality manner when out on the playground. 

As we talked more about our childhoods, we found out that we used the Duluth Clinic for our doctor appointments, went to Gustafson Bakery and Cafe to have lunch after these appointments and, when we needed new shoes, bought them at Guaranty Shoe Store. Both Audrey and I liked to stick our feet into that machine in the shoe store where you could check out the bones in your feet. Having had that conversation and many more, Audrey eventually looked at me and said, "You're that baby, aren't you!" And I said, "Yup, I'm that baby!"


Now we fast forward to 1974 when I show up at Meadow Lake Elementary as their new speech therapist. A couple of weeks into the school year, Audrey asked me if I knew a Rebecca Cherra from Duluth. I told her that Rebecca was my mother-in-law. Later in the day we sat down for a conversation and found out that my parents were good friends of Audrey's aunt and uncle, Irma and Swan and that my parents and hers lived about 5 blocks from each other and attended the same senior's social group at Salem Lutheran in Hermantown.

Hi, I'm Linda, Audrey's best friend for 49 years. I would like to start by taking you back to 1946. Audrey's aunt and uncle and parents are talking about their friend, Clara, who was going to have a baby at age 38. Audrey was 9 at the time and prone to eavesdropping as would any 9 year old. She must have tucked that knowledge to the back of her brain somewhere because ...

We were encouraged to be part of a sport and learned how to work as a team. Our back yard was big so we played many yard games that Mom started then let us come up with ways to include everyone. All these things I've learned from the best teacher around. My mom!

Mom, I love you and know that you are on to your next adventure.

Have fun, Mom.

Love Kyle


Mom has taught me that if you are interested in something, research it, then you can try it out. She introduced so many things into our lives. Ukrainian eggs, how to raise a snake, take care of ferrets, mice and rabbits to name a few. During the summer, it would seem that we had the house that our friends liked to come to. My mom would bring out the microscope and we got to look at cool stuff. 

Mom was a wonderful story teller. And surprising, they are true. She loved to tell stories to her grand children about how life was back when she was young. Mom also liked to hear stories about her grand and great grand kids. She was proud of each one of them.

Mom wasn’t afraid to go off the beaten path. She would take the back roads to places and according to her, we were “lost” but we always ended where we were suppose to be. Most of the time there were some interesting things we found while we were lost. I think about those things when I take road trips with my friends.

Mom was my original “Google”. I knew that if I had a question or needed an explanation for something, she would be the one that would know the answer. (and use the real words!) I’m one of her kids but also a student of hers. Mom has taught me so many life lessons that make me who I am today. She showed me that everyday you leave the house you can find an adventure if you keep an opened mind and pay attention to those around you. 

Audrey was known to many as a person that loved to teach. She really cared about every student and could see the potential in each one. Some of you would know her as the prankster. Everyone was fair game when she and Linda set their sights on you. But that would mean they liked you. To me, she was Mom.

I’d like to brag to my friends about her. My grandma was in a band! My grandma was on a bowling league! My grandma was a teacher! My grandma rode a motorcycle to the church up at the cabin! She went to the same high school as Bob Dylan! She’s done some very interesting things in life. She was courageous and brave and had a zest for life.
She will be greatly missed, but I do find comfort in believing she’s in heaven surrounded by all of her animals she had throughout her life, with grandpa other family members and friends who have passed over the years. She’ll never be forgotten and we’ll love her forever.

She’d take us to McDonalds close to her house after riding our bikes around or after playing on a playground at a school close by. Something we didn’t get very often with mom and dad, so it was extra special. I remember getting the kid’s meal around Halloween and the pail was painted like Frankenstein’s face.
She didn’t cook much for us when we had our sleepovers…but I do remember getting pizza and it was delightful! She’d let us play on her music keyboard and we may have kept her up past her bedtime a time or two.

I thought “oh man- jack pot”! I popped that thing in my mouth and it immediately crumbled and turned to dust. I couldn’t spit it out fast enough. Because I found this treat in the computer /“storage” room I don’t know why I didn’t look at the expiration date on the bag first. Lo and behold, it was many years beyond expired. After spitting it out, all I could do was laugh.

My grandma had a computer in her house even before we did! I couldn’t believe it! She was so good on that thing. She’d print out personalized Christmas cards and birthday cards for us grandkids. They were one-of-a-kind with her logo on the back. My sister and I would play video games on her computer and would get lost for hours. We had a lot of fun. That computer room turned into her storage room for pretty much everything. Being kids, we’d look around the computer room to see what sort of hidden treasures there were to be found. One time, I found a bag of mini Reece’s peanut butter cups.

I’d often ask her to tell me stories about her growing up, what she knew about our Finnish culture, what she was doing in her classroom, and I’d love listening to her tell stories of her memorable students. She took pride in helping kids who were struggling in school and was excited to see them have a “lightbulb” moment. When I was in 8th or 9th grade, she helped me write about our family’s history for a school assignment. She told stories of our family coming to America from Finland and had the photos to back it up. Because of her diligent research and the historical photos, I got an “A” on this project. I couldn’t wait to tell her about it.

My grandma was an extraordinary person. She loved her family and friends. She was excellent at telling stories and striking up conversations with people.
I remember she drove from Coon Rapids to Saint Cloud to come see me when I was in beauty school. I was so excited to have her at my school and she was happy to help me on my educational journey. During her appointment, her blood sugar was getting low and I needed to go into the cafeteria to get her a candy bar, a Snickers if I remember correctly. She didn’t let things like that slow her down.

Mom, I am not saying goodbye but instead saying, “I’ll see you later.” I know you and dad will be there to greet me when I enter heaven. Thank you for leaving me with your legacy that I can share and continue to pass forward to my family.

I love you and I will miss you,

Cheryl

Date of Death 1/22/2023

I witnessed this characteristic in you throughout your life, and especially in the last few years of your life. You even talked about yourself having this trait of “sisu” as I sat by your bedside. You told me you inherited it from your Finnish ancestors. After your precious family came to visit you at the hospital you told me, the doctors, and nurses, how blessed you felt seeing them. I know you left to heaven with your heart full of love.

Mom, you lived your life as wife, mother, grandmother, mummu and friend to many, blessed with “Sisu.” (seesu) This Finnish word cannot be directly translated but means you had strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acted rationally in face of diversity. Sisu is not a momentary courage but the ability to sustain courage.

Another story or memory of you was when you went to Sammy’s Pizza in Coon Rapids for their free anniversary meal. Dad had already passed away, so you brought dad’s ashes with you and had your free anniversary meal and were able to celebrate with dad.
I remember you would go to the small country church when you were at the cabin. You would show up to the service on different means of transportation, from a scooter, dirt bike, tractor and so forth. When you got back to the cabin you told us there were three people present, the pastor, the organist and you were the congregation.

I remember you always kept in contact with family and extended family because this was important. You would take us through Hibbing to see where you and dad grew up, showed us the ore mines which you played near, showed us the steps of the house you grew up in because back then, old Hibbing and your house was moved. We got to see your stomping grounds, schools, and downtown stores you frequented. You showed me where you were a “soda jerk.” You knew our roots were important. Many times, though on these excursions you would say, “I am a little lost right now.” Mom, you never had a sense of direction. This bothered me when I was little because if you didn’t know where you were, I sure didn’t. Then you would say, “This road should bring us to a familiar street or area.”

I have so many memories of all we did growing up. You were so good at telling stories and I
cannot compete with that. I will reflect on a few of them.
I am the oldest, and you were quite strict with me. I was the least likely to do anything daring
or get into trouble compared to my siblings. My curfew growing up in high school was 9 PM
unless I was coming home from work. My sister would roll in around 2 AM and nothing was
said. I wonder sometimes if there were any rules for my brothers.

You told me that you never had the “alone” feeling. You mentioned many times and even in your health directives dating back when you were 40 years old, that you never wanted to be a burden to anyone in the family. You never were a burden to me. As your daughter, I felt honored to have been able to help you and be there for you when you needed it.


Independence: You were an only child which I believe made you strong and able to do for
yourself. You were able to solve problems on your own, tackle projects on your own, go to
restaurants alone, go on adventures with us kids alone, fix things on your own. When alone you always found something to do such as reading or crosswords, or Sudoku puzzles.

Work Ethic: When growing up, most of my friend’s mothers stayed at home. You wanted to be a teacher, so you got your degree and worked hard. It wasn’t easy going to college with me and Kyle at a very young age. While teaching you rarely took days off unless you were really sick.
When you retired you still had months of accumulated sick days. You loved teaching and the rewards of seeing children finally have an “ah ha” moment. Knowing you loved teaching others;you continued learning yourself as well and shared this knowledge with all those you knew. My
friends even reached out to you for your wisdom.

Kindness: You never said anything bad about anyone. You seemed to find the positive in all those you knew.


Encouragement: I would always find you in the bleachers at my softball games or tournaments.
You volunteered to be Bethel Guardian when I was Honored Queen in Jobs Daughters to help
with planning and driving to functions. I felt your support and you cheering me on in all my
activities and functions in and out of school. You told me from a young age that I have to ability to be whatever I wanted.

Perseverance: You never gave up. You always were positive even with all your health issues,
your pain and limited use of your legs and knees because they were broken so may times,diabetes, using crutches, wheelchair, transferring, planning for all your baths, getting in and out of the house and car. I never heard you complain. Just grunts and groans which was expected.

Compassion: You always had a listening ear and wouldn’t give advice unless I asked for it. You listened to me and helped me with so much as I struggled through my toughest time in life with divorce. You were so comforting. I saw the compassion you had for Dad, animals, pets, and all your friends.

These are some of the life lessons I learned from you.
Love: I know you loved dad and I remember the hug and kiss you gave him every night when he got home from work. With both of you being faithful and married for 52 years was a wonderful lesson for me. Your love was always unconditional. You would tell me this when disciplining and when I got mad, when you would say “no” to something I wanted to do or when I had disappointed you. You would tell me that you loved me regardless.

You left me a legacy which is rich in life lessons. A legacy doesn’t have to be fame, monetary wealth, trophies, or a mansion. I was able to fail and succeed and learn by the choices I made. I was given the opportunity to try so many things, participate in sports, travel, and experience so many outdoor activities at the cabin. There are so many it would take all day to mention.

You had so many other interests too. I know you wish you would have learned woodworking at a younger age, but you gave it a go in your later years. You collected coins, stamps, painted Ukrainian eggs, painted a nice Christmas Village, crocheted, knitted, loved photography in college and HS years, did calligraphy, science projects, played piano and organ and really enjoyed playing clarinet. The clarinet was a favorite of yours in HS and college and you spoke about playing in the University of Minnesota marching band. You took it up again and started performing in your senior years in a senior band. Your visits to Orchestra Hall, having luncheons with your retired teacher friends, bowling, planning teacher retirements and all the events and activities with a family cabin were interests that kept you active and socially busy.

I feel your most important passion was genealogy. You worked on this since your early years and all through your life. You spent hours documenting our roots, talking to relatives all over the states and even in European countries, going to churches and looking at their records, visiting cemeteries, going to online sites, reading books, and recording information going back a couple hundred years on both sides of our family. You even had written stories and pictures from journals and papers that our ancestors wrote. We are fortunate that you consolidated all this knowledge and rich information into a genealogy book for each of your children. What a treasure we have.

Dear Mom, January 27,2023
I don’t know where to start. Your life was filled with so many blessings and stories and experiences, and you left impressions with everyone. Just as you said, you had a full blessed life. I remember you as an intelligent, strong, and talented woman, with so many passions and interests. Most important to you was your love for dad with a marriage of 52 years, and your love for your family and extended family. I could see that because you would light up and be happy around all of us at family gatherings. You mentioned this to me so often and reading through some of your writings and journal entries you mentioned multiple times that you were blessed and proud of your family.

Mrs. Wahlberg was always so kind and easy to be around. I remember hanging out there with Cheryl and I always felt so welcome and safe and part of the family. She was wonderful and will be missed. I’m sorry for your loss for the whole family. 

Thank you Audrey for accepting me into your family and for your support and love. Our lives are better because of you.
I love being your daughter-in-law and I love you!

I am so sorry for everyone including myself loss of  this beautiful person. I will always remember Audrey's bright smile and her encouraging words that was shared with all.


Memorial Visitation

Memorial Service

Survived by her children, Cheryl (Tom Kepner) Becker, Kyle (Wayne) Hunstad, Eric (Jocelyne) Walberg and Randy (Rickae) Walberg; grandchildren, Ryan (Sarah), Aaron (Jill), Carlyn (Eric Anderley), Danielle (Eric Hazenson), Paige (Jerad), Samantha (Alex Demik), Cassi (Cody), Kaylee and Abby; great-grandchildren, Caiden, Robert, William, Elise, Riley, Carson, Ellie, Gunner, Avery, Walker and Raven; long time best friend, Linda Cherra.

OBITUARY

Audrey Lorraine Walberg

June 7, 1937 – January 22, 2023

Gearhart Funeral Home

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