Audrey M. Linskens

“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

On June 26, 2013, the Lord's humble servant, Audrey Linskens, received her crown of eternal life. All the angels in heaven rejoiced in Song and prayer as they blew their trumpets, for heaven had received another soul! She once said when her mother passed away that if ever a women was going to heaven, she was sure it was mom. We all feel the same way about her. We enter this world as a little child and take that last step, trusting in our Lord's promise of eternal life in heaven alone, but knowing that softly and gently Jesus is calling, and will be the first one to greet her. She died at her home, with her loving family surrounding her. Her challenge in this life was the battle she had with cancer for several years that took her earthly life but not her trust and faith in God at age 71. Audrey was born in Kaukauna on July 18, 1941, daughter of the late Curtis and Gladys (Kemp) Jansen. She was brought into the Lord's Kingdom as a child when she was baptized at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Kaukauna. She attended Christian day school at Trinity, and was also confirmed at Trinity's altar. On June 24, 1961, Audrey married Donald Linskens, and the couple spent their first years together in Milwaukee and Chicago. Their next seventeen years were spent in Fond du Lac, where the family became active and faithful members of Faith Ev. Lutheran Church. Later, the family returned to Kaukauna, and resumed membership at Trinity Lutheran. During those years, Don and Audrey were richly blessed by the births of their four children.

Audrey devoted her life to the care of her family and to the work of the Lord. Her love for Jesus was instilled in each of her children, and Audrey clung to her faith through every trial in her life. In the hymn “Hark The Voice of Jesus Calling” it says “If you cannot speak like angels, If you cannot preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus, you can say he died for all; If you cannot rouse the wicked with the judgment's dread alarms, You can lead the little children to the Savior's waiting arms.” For over twenty years she did just that by becoming a Sunday School Teacher and tutoring students at both Faith and Trinity. Everyone knows that young children look to their first teachers as a role model, a loving person that will give a hung or wipe a tear. Audrey always gave her love freely and generously. She also served as a Lutheran Girl Pioneer leader and volunteered in the church office. She chaperoned school events and class trips, and drove the elderly to church. Audrey volunteered at St. Paul Home, belonged to the Lutheran Women Missionary Society, and was present to help at church at any time on any day.

In one of Audrey's favorite songs, “There Is a Higher Throne”, the last verse says “And there we'll find our home, our life before the throne; we'll honor Him in perfect song, where we belong. He'll wipe each tear-stained eye, as thirst and hunger die. The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King; we'll reign with Him.” Our Lord has lifted her from this vale of tears, no more grief, sorrow, hunger or pain. Praise be to God! Her reward is out of this world!

Audrey is survived by her loving children: Donald Linskens, Jr. of Farmington, New Mexico; Perry Linskens of Kaukauna; Lori (Dave) Van Den Bogart of Darboy; and Andrew (Crystal) Linskens of Green Bay; and three grandsons: Jared, Justin, and Maximus. She is also survived by her siblings: Lil Court of Appleton; Sharon Borcherdt of Waupaca; Jayne (Steve) Blair of Darboy; Grace (Rodney) Bonjean of Fredonia; Josie (Joe) Roth of Clarksville, Tennessee; Susan (Larry) Gagne of Duluth; Ruth (Paul) Wagner of Ripon; Dan (Sue) Jansen of Little Chute; Jackie (Dale) Lambie of Kaukauna; Janice (Tom) Rutten of Freedom; and Julie (Tom) Siebers of Kaukauna; a half-brother: Eugene (Dorothy) Jansen of Manitowoc; a sister-in-law: Lois Linskens of Little Chute; and two brothers-in-law: David Linskens and Eugene (Lavern) Linskens, both of Kaukauna. There are also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friend; a special life-long friend from Faith Lutheran in Fond du Lac: Sharon Finn; the Trinity ladies that gave her comfort with the gift of a special prayer shawl. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald on June 15, 1985, an infant brother Joseph, brothers-in-law Ed Court, Bill Borcherdt and Sonny Linskens; sisters-in-law Betty Linskens and Joyce (Earl) Kelling, and a niece Jennifer Lambie Jaeger.

The Christian Funeral service for Audrey will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June29, 2013 at her beloved Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, 804 Grignon Street in Kaukauna. Rev. Timothy Wilkens and Rev.Karl Schultz will officiate, and she will be laid to rest at the side of her husband at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at the Fargo Funeral Home in Kaukauna on Friday from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again at the church on Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Online condolences may be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com.

The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to the special angels who made it possible for Audrey to stay in her own home during her illness. They include her children, Dr. Awe, Stephanie, the staff at the Kaukauna Clinic, and ThedaCare At Home Hospice, especially Dawn and Erin. We will never forget the love you shared with our family.

Rather than sending flowers, Audrey had asked that contributions be made to a fund which has been established to aid the less fortunate members of the Lord's kingdom.

Matthew 6:33: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.