In loving memory of

Audrey J. Upmeyer
July 2, 1928 - December 23, 2020

Audrey J. Upmeyer, 92, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday morning, December 23, 2020, at Clover Ridge Place in Maquoketa, Iowa.

A celebration of Audrey's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, July 24, 2021, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. A luncheon will immediately follow in the church social room. A private burial was held at Oakland Cemetery, Solon, Iowa. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is in charge of the arrangements.

DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, THE FAMILY HAS REQUESTED THAT FACE MASKS BE REQUIRED.

Audrey Jean Lenz was born on July 2, 1928 in Freeport, Illinois to Alvin H. and Ruth L. (Farnam) Lenz. She was a 1946 graduate of Freeport High School and a 1949 graduate of the University of Iowa School of Nursing. She married her college sweetheart William D. "Bill" Upmeyer on November 5, 1949 in Freeport, Illinois. Three children were born to this union, David, Cathryn and Steven.

Audrey worked as a registered nurse for many years and took great pride in being one of the first nurses who opened the Jackson County Public Hospital in Maquoketa. She maintained relationships with many of her nursing colleagues from those years.

Audrey was a member of First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Registered Nurse Club, Mother's Club, PTA and had delivered Meals-on-Wheels for many years. She enjoyed sewing and baking.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, David (Peg) Upmeyer of Grosse Pointe, MI, Cathryn (William) Rickard of Smyrna, NY, and Steven (Jane) Upmeyer of Indianapolis, IN; 4 granddaughters, Julie (Johnathan) Lewis, Dianne (Shawn) Larson, Amy (Josh) Smith, and Staci (Jack) Laski; 6 great-grandchildren, Meredith Jane Smith, Meyer Daniel Smith, Margot Jean Laski, Ffion Audrey Lewis, Nesta Wynn Lewis, and Clark Gilgamesh Larson; a brother, James (Susanne) Lenz of Chicago, IL; 3 nephews, Robert (Nancy) Upmeyer, Eric Upmeyer and Carl (Rhonda) Upmeyer; and a nephew-in-law Roger Beermann. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William "Bill" Upmeyer on June 15, 2016, and a niece Anne Beermann.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa, First Lutheran Church, or to the William and Audrey Upmeyer Family Scholarship Fund (through the Community Foundation of Jackson County).

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family. Please feel free to call with notes of support or leave words of comfort on the funeral home website at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Tributes

Karen Phillips wrote on Jan 6, 2021:

"Audrey set the bar very high for a new nurse out of nurses training in her crisp white uniform (and hat, of course), and spanking white shoes. She was as smart as she was compassionate in her care to her patients. Karen Phillips"

Tom Reisdorph wrote on Jan 4, 2021:

"David and the Upmeyer family. My sincere sympathies. "

Marilyn Ruggeberg wrote on Jan 1, 2021:

"My Deepest Sympathy to her Family. I had the pleasure of working with Audrey at JCRHC prior to her retirement. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. "

Roxi Bramer Riley wrote on Dec 30, 2020:

"My deepest sympathy to the Upmeyer family. What a wonderful dear lady. "

Jerome Miller wrote on Dec 30, 2020:

"My sympath to Dave, Cathy, and Steve, and family. Your mother was a great friend to my mother during their many many years together. She was also a"mother" to all the kids of her children age. Always watchful eye out for our "shenanigans"! She will be missed for sure. Know that you and you family will be in our thoughts and prayers."

Paula Brown McNabb wrote on Dec 30, 2020:

"Dave, Cathy, Steve and families, Thinking about all of you as you celebrate the long and wonderful life of your mother. My dad always appreciated her expertise as a skilled and caring nurse. The Brown children appreciated her wonderful role as mother because we had the good fortune to share friendships and great memories with all her children. We Browns surround you with our loving thoughts as you remember your mother and her well-lived life!"

Colleen and Roger Smith wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Our deepest sympathy to Steve and all his family. You all remain in our thoughts and prayers. "

David Moore wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"I am very sad hear of Audrey's passing. There were no better friends to my parents than Audrey and Bill. Their "snowbird" winters together in Florida were wonderful times, and Audrey's presence at Clover Ridge was a great joy to my Mom in the last months of her life. Our sympathies to you, Dave, Cathy, and Steve, and to your families."

Kevin Rockwell wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Remembering Audrey for the great person she was, and of course a great nurse. As one of the last, if not the last original nurses of Jackson County Public Hospital, you can be proud of your Mom's contributions to all of the people she cared for. As a fellow nurse, I hope to meet again when we are at that special nurses place in heaven. "

Lisa Ullrich-Wright wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Remembering your wonderful mother and wish you comfort and peace. Lisa Ullrich-Wright"

Patsy wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Super nice lady & family,sympathy to all"

Kurt Ullrich wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"My mother moved to Maquoketa in the 1950s with three small children in tow. She never had a mother of her own to raise her, thus she was a little unsure how to raise a family. Neighbor and nurse Audrey Upmeyer stepped in to help out and she was brilliant, the best thing that ever happened to my mother. Decades later she was the one who bathed my mother as she lay dying. Goodbye Audrey. Know that you were loved."

Dennis Hoppe wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Just want to tell David how sorry I am for the loss if his mom. My mom passed in 2012, also 92 and I went to school with David. So very sorry for your loss my friend. In Christ, Dennis Hoppe"

Sue Van Buer wrote on Dec 28, 2020:

"Such a lovely woman--my sympathy to all of you."

Darrel and Sharon Rettig wrote on Dec 27, 2020:

"Our deepest sympathy to the Upmeyer family"

marilyn jensen wrote on Dec 27, 2020:

"My condolences Nancy to you and your husband"

Ann Swaney wrote on Dec 27, 2020:

"Thinking of you and wishing you all peace and comfort as you remember your dear Mom, Steve and Jane and other family members. Being a nurse, I am sure she left this earth a little richer, a little kinder and a little richer. May you hold memories of her in your heart for every. You have my deepest sympathy. Ann Swaney Tell City, IN"

Laurnet and Scott Spalding wrote on Dec 27, 2020:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave, Cathy, Steve and their families. Our family always looked forward to the Memorial and Labor Day breakfasts with the Upmeyers. That had to be close to a 60 plus year tradition. We last talked to Audrey on the phone this November and she was still as sharp and witty and ever, but she seemed to be having some concerns about her health at that time. We will sure miss her."

Mary A McAllister wrote on Dec 27, 2020:

"Audrey and my mom Alice became great friends as hallmates at Clover Ridge. I got to know Audrey well too and always looked forward to seeing her and visiting with her. She will be missed and Clover Ridge will not be the same."

Elaine A. Luett wrote on Dec 26, 2020:

"I always enjoyed working with Audrey years ago. She was a great nurse and was well thought of by all her coworkers. My thoughts and prayers are with her children and their families."

Connie Bonney wrote on Dec 26, 2020:

"Going to miss seeing A when she was out and about,,, got to know A&B when there did meals on wheels, what a grand couple.. Then later Audrey and i keep on being good friends, will miss her smile and all thoughtful of other people.. Heaven is getting a grand lady for sure."

Sheila Bentley wrote on Dec 26, 2020:

"My deepest sympathy to Audrey's family. She was a kind lady and a good neighbor when I was growing up. Sheila Bentley"