Audrey M. Burklund

Audrey M. Burklund passed away on June 17, 2025, at the age of 97. Audrey was born on October 2, 1927, in Milwaukee, WI to Henry and Viola Schneider.

While serving in WWII, Will “Red” and Audrey started writing to each other after being introduced by a family member. The letter writing turned into a romance. They wrote to each other 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, 2 days before they officially met fact-to-face on November 13, 1945, and married 11 days later on November 24, 1945. Red and Audrey joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1951 in Austin, TX. They moved to Mesa, AZ in 1954. On May 24, 1955, they were sealed in the Mesa AZ Temple for time and all eternity.

In addition to raising their 6 kids, she started her wedding catering business which she worked for over 10 years. She also pursued and completed her nursing degree and worked in the ICU.

Audrey loved serving in the church and served in many capacities. She alongside her husband, Red, served as full time missionaries in the Oakland California Mission. After Red’s passing, she served in the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, UT.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Will A. Burklund; her children, Laura Rosenkrans and Tammie Burklund; her grandchildren, Zachary Walters and Shaylee Walters; her son-in-law, Glenn Bright, Jr. She is survived by her children: Sandy (Tim) Friddle, Richard (Bette-Sue) Burklund, Bonnie Bright, and Becky (Larry) Walters; her sisters, Marcy Kitscha and Nancy McCue; her 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 13 great, great-grandchildren.

Audrey loved her family, friends, and the gospel of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was anxiously anticipating returning to the arms of her sweetheart and husband, Red, and other family members and friends who passed.

Services for Audrey will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, with a visitation at 9am and the funeral service following at 10am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 618 S. Signal Butte Rd., Mesa AZ 85207. She will be laid to rest at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek, AZ.

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com . Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.