Audrey Jean (Kolden) Parkinson

Audrey Jean Parkinson, age 91 of The New Glarus Home, formerly of Blanchardville died early Wednesday morning, January 19, 2022 at The New Glarus Home.  She was born on February 16, 1930 in rural Blanchardville to Edwin and Olive (Emberson) Kolden.  Audrey grew up on the family farm near Blanchardville, attended the Loyalty rural school, and graduated from the Blanchardville High School in 1947.  She worked at Scott’s restaurant in Blanchardville during her years growing up.  She graduated from the Green County Normal School in Monroe, and taught the younger grades at several rural schools around Blanchardville including the Everson School and the school in Daleyville.  She was married to Daniel “Parkie” Parkinson on June 24, 1951 at the Blanchardville Lutheran Church.  She later attended UW-Platteville to obtain her bachelor's degree for teaching.  She spent her final years teaching at the Blanchardville school, which became the Pecatonica Area Schools teaching elementary and art in the Blanchardville and Hollandale buildings.  Audrey loved crafts, sewing, going on trips with senior groups, and volunteering and being involved with her artistic talents at Blanchardville Lutheran church and the women’s groups with the Norwegian supper and the mother-daughter banquet.  She was also active in the Sunnyside Homemakers and many Blanchardville community events.  Audrey loved her family.  She was a wonderful wife and mother, always looking out for her husband and family.  She spent a lot of time with her grandchildren. 

Audrey is survived by four children, James (Jane) Parkinson of Monroe, Kathy (Peter) Stamas of Waunakee, Judith (James) Zimmerman of Blanchardville, and Jerry Parkinson of Blanchardville; 10 grandchildren, Peter, Jacob, Nicholas, Anastasia, Nicholas, Alycia, Joel, Sarah, Joshua, and Danny; 9 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Vick of Rockton and Eloise McGowan of Blanchardville; a sister-in-law, Thais Parkinson of Beloit and a brother-in-law, Homer Parkinson of Naples, FL and many nieces and nephews.  Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband “Parkie” who died on August 26, 2020.

A private family funeral service will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 12:00 PM at Blanchard Hall at 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville.  The service will be live cast for the public on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page.  www.facebook.com/saetherfuneralservice  Rev. Chris Strohm of New Hope Lutheran will officiate.  Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville.  Saether Funeral Service from Blanchardville is assisting the family.  Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at saetherfuneralservice.com. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials which will be given to local charities in Audrey’s memory.

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