Audrey Anne (Bentz) Friedel was born May 12, 1938, to John and Rosa Bentz in Belle Fourche, SD, and was the youngest of five children, siblings, John, Naida (Keiry), Laurence, and Faye (Allen).

Audrey attended school at the nearby Riverside country school close to the home place east of Nisland and later attended high school in Belle Fourche. During school, she met, James Friedel, and they would eventually marry and settle on a farm in the Arpan area. Here they would raise four children, Rose Anne (Sulzbach), Karen (Jensen), Dan, and Dean.

During Audrey's time on the farm, she busied herself with raising children, gardening, chores, which included milking the cows. She was involved in the local 4H Club, extension and craft clubs, enjoyed quilting and having coffee with the neighbors.

Audrey loved the role of grandma, great-grandma, and great-great-grandma: being very fond of all her family. Many of her friends were considered family as well.

During the early 90's, the farm was sold, and home became Fruitdale where the Friedel's lived for 30 years. Unable to remain at home the past year, Audrey moved to an apartment in Spearfish, with the last few weeks in an assisted living facility where the level of care and comfort Audrey needed was given before making the journey home.

Audrey passed peacefully on May 30, 2022, at the age of 84.

Audrey is survived by four children: Rose Anne (Joe) Sulzbach, Karen (the late Jim) Jensen, Dan Friedel, and Dean (Shari) Friedel; nine grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren (one on the way); four great-great-grandchildren (one on the way); sister, Naida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, John and Rosa Bentz; brothers, John, and Laurence; and sister, Faye.

Audrey will be remembered as caring, loving and having a way of touching the hearts of all who knew her.

Committal service will be Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Memorial services will be 10:30 am on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Nisland Independent Community Church in Nisland, SD.

A memorial has been established to the Child Evangelism Fund or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Click on the link to view service folder