Audrey J. Kobussen

Audrey Kobussen, age 79, went home to heaven on Friday morning, May 25, 2012, after a lengthy struggle with cancer. Audrey was born on November 6, 1932, the youngest of the four children of Harry and Elenore (Manteufel) Nieman. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Greenville on December 4, 1932, and was confirmed in that same faith at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Dale on May 19, 1946. Audrey graduated from the Appleton (West) High School in 1950. On November 30, 1952, she married Merlin Kobussen at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church in Appleton, and the couple was blessed with four sons. They enjoyed traveling together to many places, including Hawaii, Germany, Victoria Island, and all around the United States. Her brother Rudy and his wife Caroline were frequent traveling companions. Merlin and Audrey shared fifty-ones years together until his death in February of 2004.

Cooking and baking were great loves in Audrey's life. She worked at Lawrence University for twenty-six years as a cook, and also earned the title of “Certified Working Chef” from the American Culinary Association in Florida. She was the second woman ever to earn that distinction.

St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran had been Audrey's church home since the late 1940's. There she was active in the choir, couples club, and also helped to lead the young girls' group on Saturday mornings. She was a faithful member of the Ladies Aid since 1995, and was valued for her baking and cooking skills to help serve at funerals and other church events. She was also a cook at Camp Bird for twenty-six years.

Audrey's greatest joy in life was her family. Those who will miss her dearly are her sons: Tony (Kathy) Kobussen of Oconomowoc; Neal (Judy) Kobussen of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Mitchel (Ginger) Kobussen of Black Creek; a daughter-in-law: Lisa (Tom) Schultz of Neenah; eight grandchildren: Sara (Will) Laskowski, Stephani Kobussen, Keri Kobussen, Kimberly Kobussen, Morgan Kobussen-Schultz, and Jacob, Emily, and Sophie Schultz. There are also three great-grandchildren: Tyler, Brock, and Evan; a sister-in-law: Caroline Nieman of Appleton; a special niece: Janice Baerwald; as well as other nieces, nephews, relatives, Camp Bird friends, and many other friends. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Merlin; a son Glenn; brothers: Rudy Nieman and Sheldon (Agnes) Nieman ; and a sister: Lusetta (Eldred) Tellock.

The Christian Funeral for Audrey will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at ST. MATTHEW EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 129 S. Mason Street in Appleton, with Rev. Thomas Mielke officiating. Inurnment will be at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM and again at the church on Thursday morning from 10:00 AM until the hour of the services. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

Audrey's Christian faith demonstrated itself in many ways, but especially by showing kindness, care, concern, love and service to others.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920 739 1231

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