Obituary of Audrey Ann Chafer

Audrey A. Chafer, age 85, of Fifield, Wisconsin, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at Park Manor Nursing Home in Park Falls, Wisconsin.

Services will be at 3:30 P.M. on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Family Worship Center Assembly of God in Park Falls.  Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Interment will take place at a later date at Forest Home Cemetery in Fifield.

Audrey was born on November 24, 1933 in Westby, Wisconsin to Clarence and Lorraine (Chadwick) Erickson.  She married George Wagner on August 1, 1953.  He preceded her in death on September 18, 1975.  She married Ralph “Bud” Chafer Jr. on June 5, 1976, at the First United Methodist Church in Phillips, Wisconsin. Their wedding reception was held at the Red Fox in Fifield.

Audrey worked as a waitress at Northwoods Supper Club in Fifield for many years and was employed by St. Croix Rod and Auto Stop Convenience Store prior to her retirement. Audrey was a member of the Fifield Lioness Club for several years. Between her and Bud they were always selling raffle tickets for something. She also volunteered to be the Easter Bunny at their Pancake Breakfast.

Audrey was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. During her younger years, Audrey enjoyed night life and was on several bowling teams. She was also on a couple’s league with her husband.  She was an avid collector of Christmas village houses and figures. Christmas was her favorite holiday.  She would start decorating her living room in early November and transform it into a Christmas village. She liked cooking for the family and seeing the kids’ faces light up when they opened their gifts. During the summer, her and Bud would take their annual family camping trip to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. There they would go fishing, have campfires and tell stories.  She especially enjoyed going to garage sales looking for a great deal on that special treasure and snacking on cold hot dogs and crackers and drinking Pepsi. She enjoyed playing cards, Yahtzee and Uno with anyone who was up for a challenge because she hated to lose.

Audrey is survived by her loving husband, Ralph “Bud” Chafer Jr.; six children: Carolyn (Roy) Duwe of Rosemount MN, George (Karen) Wagner of Marshfield, WI, Claire Wagner of Park Falls, WI, Sharon (Mert) Olson of Fifield, WI, Susan (James) Rose of Butternut, WI and Lynda (Patrick) Hamilton of Meadville, PA; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; one brother: Douglas (Jean) Erickson of San Antonio, TX; two sisters: Arlene Henry of Lacrosse, WI and Debbie (Russell) Saley of Holmen, WI; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Wilson of Lacrosse, WI.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband, George Wagner and brother, Richard Struxness.

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.