Audrey H. Risse, 95, Appleton, passed away on September 6, 2024, at her residence. She is joining her husband Leonard R. Risse, who passed away October 25, 2023.  Audrey was born October 13, 1928, in Green Bay, WI to Mable Van De Hei and Albert Hazaerts.

Audrey married Leonard on September 9, 1950.  They raised four boys together.

She and her one sister, Laverne, were raised on a small dairy farm in Rockland County, WI.  As farm help was limited the two of them helped with bailing hay and driving the horses.  Living conditions were classic, with an outhouse, chamber pots, occasional sponge baths, and marginal heat in winter.  When the wind was strong the windmill driving the water pump sounded like it would rip the roof off.  Grade school consisted of a small one room building; volunteers started the wood stove.

High school proved to be an immensely positive experience where she made friends and took up dancing, one of her greatest pleasures in life (aside from raising a family).  She was proud of getting a degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison as she considered herself an average student.  It is also where she met and fell in love with her future husband.  Having a strong family was one of her greatest desires and accomplishments.

Those who met Audrey knew she was very sweet, innocent, and loving. She always thought the best of others.  She and her husband Len were long time members of Faith Lutheran Church.

Audrey is survived by her sons: Robert (Karen) Risse, Seattle, WA, Paul (Nancy Darigo) Risse, Anchorage, AK, and Michael (Brenda) Risse, De Pere, WI; 4 grandchildren: Amber Risse (Dan Vaughn), Roxanne, Francesca and Anton Risse; two great grandchildren: Caroline and Bruce.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Laverne, son Steven, and her husband.

A Memorial Service for Audrey will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, at Faith Lutheran Church, Appleton. Entombment will take place at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. Friends may visit the family at church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

A livestream of Audrey's service may be viewed by clicking the following link followed by clicking on that "Watch" tab: https://www.faithfoxvalley.org/