Audrey J. (Johnson) Albrecht

Audrey Josephine (Johnson) Albrecht was born in Laurin, Montana on November 2, 1917 to Edgar & Ireta (Lynch) Johnson. She passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Livingston, Montana at the age of 101. Her life will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption in Laurin, MT, 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April, 29th, at the small Catholic church where her faith and devotion took root, a short walk away from her childhood home. She will be laid to rest in the Laurin cemetery, overlooking the little town she loved so much and in the company of beloved family and friends who passed before her.Audreys early years were spent in Laurin, where her father raised registered Herefords and her fathers family owned and operated the General Store. She shared many joyful memories of her time there, especially her love of elementary school, swimming in the Ruby river, riding her Shetland pony (and sometimes unbeknownst to her parent, her fathers race horse), helping her Grandparents at the store, attending silent movies at the theater, games of Hide-and-Seek and Kick-the-Can, riding the passenger train between Virginia City and Twin Bridges, and wonderful holidays and gatherings with family and friends. Following her fathers untimely death when she was just 7 years old, she and her mom and sister moved off the family ranch but stayed in Laurin until her sister Adele graduated from 8th grade. They moved first to Twin Bridges and then to Sheridan, where Audrey finished school. Her mother cooked, cleaned homes and took in laundry and boarders to provide for her daughters. Times were tough and hardship was ever present. Their home was often shared with friends and family members seeking shelter and generosity. Audreys long and remarkable life journey encompassed the Great Depression, the advent of electricity, indoor plumbing, automobiles, phone, radio, tv and countless other industrial and technological advances. She was full to the brim with life experience and quick to tell you how grateful she was for it. On September 4, 1937, Audrey was united in marriage to Lee Donald "Bud" Albrecht. They shared 78 years together, until Buds death on December 26, 2015. They made their home(s) in Sheridan, Butte, Anaconda and Livingston. Audrey was a stay-at-home wife and mother to their three children, Dixie Lee, Elioda and Kevin. In addition to her homemaking and gardening talents, clerical skills learned while working for the Relief Office in Virginia City kept her busy for many years managing Buds records as Predator Control Agent for the government. She was smart and competent, a loving mother and grandmother, devoted wife and loyal friend.Audrey will be remembered by all who knew her for her quick wit and gentle spirit. She was not one to gossip or speak unkindly of others. She believed there was good in the worst of us and bad in the best of us. She was honest, kind and unselfish. A devout Catholic, she truly lived by the Golden Rule. Her prayers protected us and kept us safe. She was generous with her words and affection. If you were loved by Audrey, you knew it, as she seized every opportunity to tell you. God bless her. Audrey is survived by her three children, Dixie Bullock, Leda (Greg) OConnor and Kevin Albrecht; seven grandchildren, Dennis (Cheri) Bullock, Tamara (Bruce) Cunningham, Debra Egan, Teresa (Bruce Foley) O'Connor, Tony (Negel) OConnor, Shawn Albrecht and Shane Albrecht; ten great-grandchildren, Katie Bullock, Kevin Bullock, Kristy Bullock, Nikki (Travis) Tuss, Eli (Ellen) Veljkov, Cara Cunningham, Cameron Egan, Creed Foley, Macy, Ashton and Grayson OConnor; three great-great grandchildren, Madalyn and Iyla Egan and Neela Tuss; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Ireta; step-father, Arthur "Bud" Gratton; sister, Adele Simon; husband, Budd, grandson Shad Albrecht and many extended family members.Memorials are preferred to the Stafford Animal Shelter, 3 Business Park Rd, Livingston, MT 59047 or St. Mary's Parochial School, 511 S F St, Livingston, MT 59047.Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.