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About 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.
3 comments
Anna Clarkson
My dear sweet friend Audrey. Your friends on this side of the veil will miss you, but I’m glad you get to be with your sweetheart again. I always loved seeing you at church and will always remember that huge smile. My husband and I are serving in the temple during the funeral so we won’t be able to be there to celebrate your life. Until we meet again!
Clyde Ransom
Audrey was a great lady and a great friend. She loved my kids as her own grandchildren. We shared a somewhat warped sense of humor, but hers was always kind. How can you sum up 30 years of friendship in a few words? Rest in Peace, my old friend. Tell Red I said Hi!.
Clyde
Kevin V Hunt
A happy sad day with the passing of our beloved sister Audrey Burklund. What a great lady! For about 16 years I was privileged to be her home teacher and was able to minister to her. I enjoyed all of those visits, I took with me my own son, Rusty Hunt for many years, as well as Spencer Nichols and others. She was always gracious, friendly and positive.
I remember many great moments with Audrey and her daughters. I just read in my journal of her 80th surprise birthday celebration staged by her family. A fun time: Saturday October 6, 2007: “We all (minus Lana) went to a surprise birthday party held for Audrey Burklund – for the occasion of her 80th birthday. This proved to be a great event for her. All of her children were there and through the evening about 40 people came to visit.”
Sadly, I will not be able to attend the funeral as my wife and I are currently serving on a church mission in Nauvoo, Illinois. Our thoughts will be with you all! I love Audrey and all of you.
Kevin V. Hunt