Funeral services for Audreene J. Smith of New Richland will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Congregational Church in New Richland. The Rev. Pamela Jensen will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St. Peters Cemetery in New Richland. Military honors will be accorded by the New Richland Legion and Waseca honor guard.

Audreene passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at New Richland Care Center at the age of 98.

Audreene was born Sept. 22, 1921, to parents John and Helma (Sibilrud) Olson. She grew up in Hartland and graduated from Freeborn High School. She went on to complete nursing school at Naeve School of Nursing in Albert Lea. She served her country as an Army nurse lieutenant in World War II and was stationed in central Europe for two years.

On June 8, 1952, she was united in marriage to Donald L. Smith at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland. They raised five daughters together.

Audreene worked as a nursing supervisor at Naeve Hospital and St. John’s Lutheran Community. In retirement, she taught nursing assistants at Riverland College. She was an active member in her church and community. The three most important things in her life were God, country and family. She enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Survivors include daughters Lori Towle (Ted Thisius) of New Richland, Michele (Jeff) Moxon of New Richland, Ann (Randy) Hagen of New Richland, Jayne (Waylen) Busho of Ellendale and Alison (Kurt) Hagen of New Richland; grandchildren Amanda (Paul) Rovnak, Emily (Nate) Anderson, Ethan Hagen (fiance, Angel Van Anhalt), Brody (Kellsie) Busho and Logan Busho (Jackie Froman); great-grandchildren Paul and Nora Rovnak, Brooks and Beckett Anderson  and Waylen Busho; sisters-in-law Marilyn Smith of Owatonna and Jackie Olson of Blooming Prairie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents; siblings; and son-in-law, Aloysius Towle.