Audree Lois Wycoff

Audree Lois Lein Wycoff (GiGi)

Our beautiful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and great-aunt, danced into Heaven April 20, 2024 to the song "I Did It My Way" by Frank Sinatra and “Brother Love’s Travelling Show” by Neil Diamond.  In fact, they was probably singing to her.  I know, Paul (her Bud) was accompanying playing the bass guitar.

She is preceded by her parents, Peter and Rose (Klosser) Lein; her brother, James Lein and wife Harriett; niece Sharon Lien and husband Mike Harding, her aunt Sadie Arseth, her son-in-law Paul Allan Johnson "Bud", and her best friend and partner in all things fun, Mona Gripp.

 She is survived by her daughter Carol Jo (Wycoff) Johnson, granddaughter, Jessica Miller (Scott), great grandsons, Brady Habeck, and Carson Miller. She is also survived by her great-nephew Patrick Harding (Patty), James Harding, and Steve (Julie) Mikel, and great-great niece Samantha (Sammie) Harding.  Audree is also survived by many nieces and nephews of the Smith and Wycoff families, especially Laura Wycoff who always kept in touch with lovely letters to Audree and Carol Jo.

 Special family friends:  Jeannie Puhl, Lynn Ross, Art and Paula Miller, Michele Parker, Jeri Borgwarth, Kelly McKernan, Marianne Winchester, Deb Rivard, and Lisa Lemke. Their love, support, prayers, and care giving has made Audree’s journey to Heaven special.

 Audree’s faith in God was very strong and helped her through many trials in her life. She never missed her daily prayers, especially to Saint Anthony and Saint Joseph. She always prayed for others before herself. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, and a member of the Women’s Saint Theresa Circle.  When there were discontinued rolls of wallpaper at Cook’s Paint, Audree would donate them to the school for making covers for textbooks.  On some of her days off from work, Audree would go the convent and help the nuns with their laundry, and when available, would help serve school lunch.

 Where does one start to describe a remarkable loving, talented, hilarious, humble, woman? Audree Lois (Lein) Wycoff, was born on February 5, 1925, to her beloved parents. She graduated from West High School in South Minneapolis. After high school, Audree worked as a telephone operator for “Ma” Bell, and then a one-day stint at Harold’s Department Store as an elevator operatior.  That’s when she discovered she was claustrophobic.  Audree established herself in a career in interior design working for Cook’s Paint in Columbia Heights, Anderson Furniture in Saint Anthony Village, and completed her career at age 82 at Redmann's Flooring and Design in Anoka.  She collaborated with different builders designing the interiors of their model homes. Many businesses in Anoka sought out her help and expertise in redecorating their shops. 

 Audree loved spending time with family and friends, reading, crossword puzzles in ink pen! She loved the Minnesota Vikings and music, especially Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Bee Gee's, Eagles, and John Lennon. Her daughter described her as "loving" because she was the greatest gift to her family, as a "protector", as she was always there when we needed her, and "fun-loving" because she loved family get togethers, especially when we would all go to Jax Restaurant and Nye’s.

 She instilled the love of Dayton’s Department store in Downtown Minneapolis to Carol Jo and Jessica.  Beginning in the 1950’s, many years of trips to the 8^th Floor Christmas display and lunch at the Nankin, and in later years, Murray’s were had. She would always create and setup decorations for family and work celebrations. 

 Audree's legacy will be her hard work (she never left a job undone), generosity, wild sense of humor (always had the one drink of Lord Calvert’s before supper), love of animals, humility, and a strong religious faith in God.  She always offered a smile and a hug.  For Audree, every day was an important event, and she never took anything for granted.

 The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Mudkanna of Coon Rapids Allinna Clinic, Allina Home Care, especially Danielle Eggert, who has become a great friend of the family, and Alliana Hospice who took wonderful care of Audree showing gentle care and compassion. 

 A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Memorials to be sent to Miller Funeral Home in Fridley, Minnesota