Audrey Wilson

Audrey L. Thoennes, the daughter of Mathias and Mathilda (Dreuniak) Thoennes was born July 19, 1931 on a farm near Leaf Valley Township, Minnesota. She was born a twin during the depression, a neighbor came with a baby blanket and offered to help the family by taking one child, but the proud parents said they could manage. Audrey has four brothers and four sisters. She was baptized and confirmed in the catholic faith and attended country school to the 8th grade. In 1949, Audrey married Lowell Bitzan and they had six children. After separating in 1966, she worked in Fargo, ND where she met and married George C. Wilson in 1967. They blended their families, and she became a step-mother to his three children. After their marriage, they had two more children, and she became a stay at home mom, George worked road construction, which required the family to move frequently following the growing interstate highway network to include homes in Denver CO, Morehead MN, Bismarck & Fargo ND and Billings MT. Audrey was a member of St Thomas in the 70's, and then St Bernard's Catholic Church since 1980. In 1976 while living in Bismarck ND, George & Audrey started selling turquoise jewelry and Black Hills Gold at fairs and events across the Midwest and occasionally in shopping malls. In December 1979, she expanded and started selling Watkins Products. Audrey had a booth at the Montana Agri Trade Show (MATE Show) in February 1990. Within three months she was a distributor, growing to the largest in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. In December 1981, the family packed up and moved to Billings. For 30 years Audrey was known as the ""Watkins Lady"" and her trademark laugh was known across the land. She built an Award-Winning Watkins Business with her husband George, working together until his death in October 2009. Her heart broken, she soon ended her business. Audrey's life revolved around taking care of her family, she enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would jump at the chance to show visitors the multitude of family photos that covered the walls of her home. During her last year, Audrey was lovingly cared for by the staff at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings. She would visit with her lunch mates, and could often be overheard sharing stories about her family. Her face would always light up when she would see her two grandsons Derrick and Micah coming through the door. If others were within ear shot, she would proudly announce their presence, bragging of their accomplishments. A proud mother and grand-mother. Audrey was preceded in death by her parents (Mathias and Mathilda), brother (Lewis), sisters (Delores & Bernice), ex-husband (Lowell), husband (George Sr.), and step-daughter (Lois Isaac). She is survived by her brothers Mathew Thoennes (Corinne), Norman Thoennes, Christopher Thoennes, sisters (her twin) Mildred Bitzan (Don), and Naomi Rodgers. Children: Katherine Cox, Barbara Luvaas (Dale), Steven Bitzan, Michael Bitzan (Jeanne), Loriele Bitzan, Joseph Bitzan, Carol Reimann (Lloyd) and George G. Wilson Jr. Step-children: Marlin Wilson and Sue Wilson Cowen (Harry). 21 Grand-children, 17 Great Grand-children, numerous nieces and nephews. Cemetery: Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Service: Vigil services for Audrey will be 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 8 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2011 at St. Bernards Catholic Church.