Audrey Diamond

Audrey Marie (Appleby) Diamond was born on Dec. 21, 1930, and died at The Good Samaritan Society Home in Superior, Neb., May 21, at the age of 90 years and 5 months.

Audrey was born to Howard and Argie (Pierce) Appleby on their farm near Formoso. Audrey lived her entire life in Jewell County, with the exception of six summers when she attended Fort Hays State, acquiring a teaching certificate.

As a child, Audrey attended Hawthorne Country School for seven and a half years, and Formoso for a half year. She attended Lovewell High for three years, and Formoso High her senior year, graduating in 1948. In the fall of 1948, she began her teaching career and taught for six years in Webber, Woodlawn Country (rural Jewell County) and Jewell schools. Audrey enjoyed her students and would reminisce about them often. After teaching, she was a hardworking farm wife.

On Aug. 10, 1952, she married Bertus Diamond at her home in Formoso. They enjoyed 60 years together. To this union two children were born: Ricky Wayne of Mankato, and Rebecca Ann (Becky) of Kearney, Neb. Bert was a farmer, and they lived most of their married life on a farm in Sinclair Township. In 1996, they retired and moved to Mankato.

Audrey was baptized in the Courtland Christian Church on March 18, 1951. She belonged to the Lovewell Methodist Church, and later the Webber Methodist Church, and was involved in women's groups of both congregations. She could always be counted on to donate chickens for any soup supper.

Audrey enjoyed communicating with neighbors and family. She was a member of the Lovewell Library Club, and worked as a reporter for the Jewell County Record. She was a dedicated and delightful pen pal, especially to her relatives and great-grandchildren. She was a whiz at word games, like Scrabble, and enjoyed a good crossword puzzle. She also liked playing cards and was known to play kickball with her great-grandkids from time to time as well.

Audrey had various hobbies and interests. She liked collecting coins and angel figurines. She had a tender spot for most living creatures, but feeding "her" birds was of the utmost importance. Audrey was an accomplished seamstress, from upholstering furniture to making clothes for her entire family. In later years, she began quilting, and delighted the family with her generous gifts. But her greatest pleasure was extending hospitality to any visitor and supplying them with her fresh baked goods. In her home, there was always a cup of coffee available.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert; her parents, two brothers, Edwin and Arnold; an infant sister, Doris, and nephew, Ward Appleby. She is survived by a sister, Eileen Erickson of Courtland, Kan.; a brother, Dennis Appleby of Wichita Falls, Texas; son, Rick Diamond (Sheila) of Mankato; daughter, Becky Butts (Mark) of Kearney; three granddaughters: Nicolette Zeigler (Travis) of Wamego, Kan.; Ashley Clark (Derek) of Superior, Neb.; and Erin Johnson (Tyler) of Urbandale, Iowa; great- grandchildren, Byron and Jackson Zeigler; Dayne and Levi Clark; Addilyn Asher, Elias and Albert Johnson.

Her funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m., today (Thursday) May 27, at the Harmony United Methodist Church in Mankato, with Pastor Jim Rice officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Mankato.

Visitation was from 12 to 8:00 p.m.,Wednesday, May 26, at Melby Mortuary in Mankato, where the family greeted friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorials are requested to the Jewell County Ambulance Service and the Harmony United Methodist Church, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Melby Mortuary of Mankato assisted the Diamond family with these arrangements.