Audrey Jean Schmidtke (nee Schmidt)

It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of Audrey at East Gate Lodge Personal Care Home, Beausejour, MB on January 9, 2026 at 91 years old.

Audrey was predeceased by her husband Henry of 61 years, her son Kenneth and son-in-law Jim Sarapu. As well by her parents, Karl and Lydia (Yapps) Schmidt; siblings, Eileen Clemis and Clifford Smith; brothers-in-law Hugo Loeb and Jim Clemis.

Audrey will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Dolores; her son Barry (Bonnie); grandchildren Brandon (Christa) and Tana (Taylor); great-granddaughters Blake and Deanna. She is survived by her sister Bernice; goddaughter Debbie; sisters-in-law, Doreen, Wilma and Joan (Gordon); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Audrey was born at home at her parent’s farm in Pine Ridge (now known as Bird’s Hill Park). Remnants of their second farm can be found today at the foot of the Folk Festival grounds.

While growing up and attending school in Pine Ridge, Audrey loved playing “football” (now known as soccer), baseball (1st base), and catching rides in the back of the truck to the games. She enjoyed singing and yodeling while milking cows and churning butter.

Audrey excelled at school, skipping two grades, assisting teachers when they were absent, and finishing Grade 9 with Honors. She would have loved to continue with school and graduate, but those times did not present this opportunity.

In 1958, Audrey met Henry in Steinbach at a wedding; Dad proposed to Mom that same year on Christmas Day. They married on June 20, 1959 and together they mixed farmed in Lowland. Mom enjoyed her big garden at the farm and continued a much smaller scale of gardening with their move to Beausejour in 1992.

Mom’s most treasured time was with her grandchildren and great-granddaughters. Mom’s face shone with love and admiration taking Brandon and Tana to the CPTC races, school fieldtrips, reading in school, fairs, playgrounds, plays, riding on the train in Assiniboine Park, absolutely everything.

Audrey enjoyed bicycle rides to Chryplywy Park and Train Whistle Park, old time dances, gospel jams, family gatherings, crib, bowling, and fishing. She looked forward to attending church each Sunday and singing hymns.

Special Thank You to Pastor Terry, Darlene and Diane for your continual support; amazing staff at East Gate Lodge and Whitemouth Personal Care Homes; loving family and friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m., with viewing one hour prior at Zion Lutheran Church, 403 First Street North, Beausejour with interment to follow at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Lowland MB. Pallbearers are Barry Schmidtke, Brandon Schmidtke, Taylor Johnson, Howard Stefaniuk, Daniel Felicioni and Darcy Woodhall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Box 968, Beausejour, MB. R0E 0C0.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com