New Richmond:
(715) 243-5252  |  
River Falls:
(715) 425-8788

Audrey Black Alton 01/31/2018

Audrey Black Alton, 93, passed away the morning of January 31, 2018 at WellHaven Assisted Living in River Falls, Wisconsin.  Audrey was born in River Falls on August 31, 1924 to Harry and Margaret (Bellum) Luberg. She graduated from River Falls High School in 1942 and attended Wisconsin State College – River Falls. She married Don Black, her high school sweetheart, on August 8, 1944. In 1959, she and Don opened Aud-a-Don Group Home, where for the next 23 years they provided guidance to 160 teenage foster boys. With their children’s struggle with chronic kidney disease, Don and Audrey were involved in the formation of the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin in 1968. They operated their family dairy farm in Mann Valley until 1972.  As a lifelong resident and staple of the community, Audrey volunteered decades of combined service to many civic organizations, including the Glover Homemakers, River Falls Historical Society, P.E.O. Sisterhood, River Falls Area Hospital Auxiliary, Salvation Army, Pierce County Historical Society, River Falls Food Pantry, the River Falls Senior Citizens Club, as an election official in town, and as a longtime teacher’s aide at Westside Elementary School. She also served on various committees of the First Congregational Church, where she was a member for over 70 years. Audrey enjoyed reading, playing bridge, serving the community, and was a wealth of information regarding River Falls history. A celebration of her life was held in August 2017 so many of her friends and family were able to recount memorable, enjoyable and humorous times with her.  Audrey’s family would like to thank WellHaven Assisted Living and ADORAY Home Health & Hospice for their attentive and loving care. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, daughter Nancy, son Jimmy, an infant daughter, and second husband Tom Alton. Audrey is survived by her son Gerry Black of Clayton, grandchildren Allison Black Triebold, Emily (Ryan) Monson, Sara (Charlie) Black; son Dave (Mary) Black of River Falls, grandchildren Stephanie (Jeff) Black-Bellus, Kevin (Liz) Black, Tony (Ingrid) Black, Amy (Adam) Frandrup; and grandchildren Joe Black and Brian (Jennifer) Black; 19 great-grandchildren; special friends and former daughters-in-law Kathy Larson and Julie Kolasinski; step-children Barb (Alton) Stein, Tom Alton, Brian Alton and their families; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and fine friends. Honorary pallbearers for Audrey are Pauly Cudd, Randy Cudd, Lyle Bowe, Phil Huggett, Jim Wolfe and Russ Nelson.  A Memorial Service was held on Monday, March 19, 2018 at 11 am at the First Congregational Church 110 N 3rd Street River Falls, WI.  Visitation was held on Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the church and also on Monday, March 19, 2018 from 10-11 am.  Private interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.  Memorials in Audrey’s honor will be given to the River Falls Public Library and the P.E.O. Sisterhood.   Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.

3 Comments

  • Robert Rushing Posted February 4, 2018 6:57 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss god bless all

  • Carol Merriman Posted February 4, 2018 8:13 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you all. Audrey was an amazing woman! She will be missed

  • Jack Smith Posted February 5, 2018 2:19 am

    Thank you Audrey for making me feel part of your family as a young man. I’ll always remembering how kind and compassion you were. Opening your home to some real rascals over the years. May the good Lord bless you Audrey.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *