Audrey King

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Audrey King lived each and every day she was given to the fullest. She was very involved in the community she called home throughout the majority of her life, and she treasured the friendships she made along the way. Blessed to spend the majority of her life with her true love, Audrey experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer. As her family and friends can attest, she was a gracious and humble woman who was truly beautiful on the inside and out. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Audrey created a priceless collection of memories that will be forever cherished by those she leaves behind.

The 1920s were a vibrant time in American history filled with innovation that was taking us places we had never been. The assembly line made cars more affordable, which allowed people to visit family members, see new places, and simply travel the county like never before. Jazz music, the Charleston, and motion pictures in both color and sound colored the cultural fabric of America. The decade was primarily a prosperous one until the crash of the stock market in 1929 ushered in the dark days of the Great Depression. Nestled within this exciting time there was much to celebrate in the lives of William and Frankie (Crakes) Van Order as they were thrilled to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on September 2, 1924. Mona Audrey was the younger of two children born to her parents, and she was raised in the family home on Darwin, SW, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, alongside her older brother, Harold, and various half-brothers and half-sisters as both of her parents had been married before. Some of Audrey’s oldest siblings had already moved out on their own by the time she was born.

For the most part Audrey, as she was usually known, experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of her generation. She had many friends in the neighborhood, most of whom were boys who allowed her to be in “the club.” As a result, Audrey was a tom boy, which is often so surprising to those who knew her as a prim and proper adult. As a student she attended Burton Elementary School and later went on to South High School. After graduating in 1942, Audrey went to work for the Grand Rapids Board of Education where she eventually became the secretary to the superintendent of schools.

New and exciting changes were in store for Audrey when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Jack King, and they were introduced through mutual friends and went out on a blind date. Sparks flew right from the start, and although they broke up when Jack took a job in Tawas, true love always wins. After a few months, he returned to Grand Rapids and proposed to his sweetheart. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Audrey and Jack were married in 1949. She left her job and moved to Tawas with her new husband.

It was while living in Tawas that Audrey was diagnosed with diabetes. Throughout the rest of her life she managed it well and made lifestyle changes. Audrey was very methodical in when and what she ate as well as recording her blood sugar levels in a journal every day.

After a while Audrey and Jack returned to Grand Rapids and settled into a home on Riverside, NE for several years. She did secretarial work at Glaza and Associates for a time, but she later felt she should stop working because of various health issues. Audrey then filled her time with other things. She spent several years volunteering at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and she also volunteered at their church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids. Through much of their married life Audrey and Jack had a special group of friends simply called "the group,” with whom they regularly got together. In later years the group did some traveling together. Over the years Audrey and her husband traveled all through the country, almost always driving. In later years she took care of Jack in their home as his dementia progressed. It became a very different way of life for her as Audrey was usually quiet, but with his care came frequent visitors who were checking in with them. She managed to take everything in stride during this time, however.

Following Jack’s death in 2005, Audrey remained in her condo for several years before moving to Clark Retirement Community. There, she found companionship for a while and took part in various activities, but in more recent years she returned to her quiet simple lifestyle. Audrey was never one who needed much throughout her life, rather, she lived simplistically and was content in whatever life brought. She was never one to watch much television or listen to the radio as she just diligently set out to accomplish her tasks.

Audrey King was a prim and proper woman who was never concerned with what she had as her focus was on loving those around her. She took her time in everything she did, paying attention to detail, and giving whatever she was doing her full effort. Audrey was blessed to share the majority of her journey with the love of her life, and together they faced whatever challenges came their way. A dear woman to many, she will be deeply missed.

Mrs. Audrey King, age 90 of Grand Rapids, passed away November 13, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack in 2005, and by her brother, Harold Van Order. Audrey is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday, November 17, 2014 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE where friends may visit with her family from 10 AM until the time of the service. Rev. Erin Fitzgerald officiating and interment will take place in Fairplains Cemetery. To read more about Audrey's life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com