Audrey Lee Gaukler, age 83, of Valley City, North Dakota, passed away at home on May 9, 2024 with her family by her side. Audrey was born on November 30, 1940 in Milnor, North Dakota to Lee Arthur and Clara Amelia (“Millie”) Dohman.
Audrey graduated from Valley City State College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught school and tutored in North Dakota and Minnesota. She remained an avid reader her entire lifetime.
Audrey was dedicated to her family – a model of quiet strength and unending kindness. She loved family gatherings – particularly at the lake and during holidays. She shared her love for cooking while making lasting memories. Audrey devoted her life to making a beautiful home for her family.
She enjoyed time with her many friends – on long walks, at dinner parties or coffee chats, playing bridge, golfing, boating at the lake, and enjoying St. Maarten beaches. She was steadfast in her support of community and was involved with many local organizations, including the Mercy Hospital board, and the Wellness Center and V-500 at VCSU.
Audrey is survived by her husband of 53 years, George Anton Gaukler; children, Michael (Kristin) Smith, Tracy (Jeff Eyres) Smith, and Geoffrey (Monte) Gaukler; grandchildren, Connor, Mara, Karin, Nina, Patrick, Keegan, Dawson, Madison, Megan, and Reagan; great-grandchildren, Nora, Lennon, Quinn, and Sawyer; and siblings, Lewis Dohman and Beverly Rasmussen. Audrey is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, James Patrick Smith; and her brother, Lyle Dohman.
Her family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation for the care provided by Kaley Machart. Memorials may be directed to Mayo Clinic’s Drive to Cure Cancer (MayoClinic.org/withoutwalls).
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 24th at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts, 306 Viking Dr., Valley City.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.