Audrey Mary Little
Audrey Mary Little age 95, of Springfield, MN died on February 19, 2025, at Kingsley Shores Senior Living in Lakeville, MN.
Visitation will be on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Springfield, MN. Funeral service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Springfield, MN, on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The clergy will be Chaplain Noel Wetter and Pastor Michael Baker. Interment will be at the Springfield City Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Audrey Nelson Werner Little was born on March 25, 1929, to Herman Nelson and Esther Krueger Nelson at the Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Audrey’s mother died of cancer when she was six years old and during her childhood, she lived with her grandparents, aunts and uncles in various locations. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1947. In the summer of 1947, Audrey received her associate teaching degree from Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. She worked as a seventh and eighth grade school teacher in Hayti, South Dakota and as a rural schoolteacher in South Dakota before her marriage to Norman.
On June 9, 1953, Audrey was adopted by Lena and Fred Werner. She married Norman Little on June 14, 1953. They lived, raised their children, and farmed in Sundown Township, Redwood County. Audrey loved farm life and was happiest when outside helping Norm with farm work. For many years, she continued as a substitute teacher at Springfield Public Schools. Audrey and Norman had five children: Tim, David, Martin, Joel and Mary.
When Audrey wasn’t outside helping on the farm, she was a dedicated volunteer on many different boards. Audrey was an active member of the Springfield United Methodist Church. There she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a member of the United Methodist Church Women’s Ministry, and served on several other church boards. Audrey also served as a Conference Lay Delegate to the Minnesota UMC Convention. Audrey spent many years volunteering at St. John Lutheran Home and serving on their Auxiliary board. She was on the Western Human Development Center board in Marshall, Minnesota, the Redwood County Fair board in Redwood Falls, Minnesota and served on the Redwood County Welfare board. Audrey was always willing to pitch in wherever needed and graciously loved having family and friends spend time on the farm.
Audrey loved her family and grandchildren “sooo” much. There wasn’t any event that she missed if one of her children was participating. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. Audrey was always up for an adventure and traveled both domestically and internationally. Audrey’s ‘hobbies’ were serving others, volunteering, fishing, camping, and spending quality time with family and friends.
She is survived by her sister, Marilyn; her children, David (Colleen) of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Martin (Arlene) of Albert Lea, Minnesota, Joel (Stacy) of Springfield, Minnesota, and Mary (Chedda) of Apple Valley, Minnesota; nine grandchildren - Andrew, Jessica, Paul, Shelby, Jacob, Joshua, Timothy, Tanya, Anya and three great-grandchildren - Donovan, Desmond and Daymon. Audrey was preceded in death by her son, Tim, who died of cancer on July 7, 1967; her husband, Norman and her brother, Herman.