Audrey Dent

MADISON - On Saturday, November 24, 2012, Audrey Dent passed from this world to the next, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, at her home at Oakwood Village East, Prairie Ridge, in Madison.

Audrey was born on April 25, 1920, in Stetsonville, Wisconsin, to George and Hazel Osterhaus. She was the fourth of their eight children, and she grew up in central Wisconsin, graduating from Plainfield High School. On December 27, 1940, she married the love of her life, Arlie R. Dent, and the two of them lived most of their lives in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, where Arlie worked at Consolidated Paper Company and Audrey devoted her life to homemaking for him and their three children. After Arlie retired, he and Audrey moved to Sun City West, Arizona, where they made their home together until 1994, when Arlie died. In 2000, Audrey returned to Wisconsin to be near her family, and she lived the remainder of her life in Madison at Oakwood Village East, Prairie Ridge.

Audrey loved homemaking. She was the consummate cook and baker, renowned for her pies and sweet rolls. She was also a talented seamstress and tailor, and many of her friends and relatives received clothing and linens that she had sewed or cross-stitched. She enjoyed many other arts and crafts, and loved decorating her home for her family and friends. Always a social creature, she greatly enjoyed playing cards with her friends and siblings and hosting dinners and other events. She made so many friends who loved her.

One of Audrey's greatest gifts was her voice. She sang her entire life, and managed to pass on her love of singing and music to all three of her children and several of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Audrey had a deep and abiding love of her siblings and their families, and the extended Osterhaus clan spent many vacations, holidays and meals together. Even in Audrey's last years at Oakwood, she was sustained and supported by the love of her siblings.

Audrey will be missed by her loved ones and the staff at Oakwood for her playful sense of humor, her laughter, and her loving nature. Even when she could no longer talk, she charmed those caring for her, and she will be greatly missed by them and her family.

Audrey is survived by her three children, Karen D. Julian of Madison, Wisconsin, Robert (Leslie) Dent of Waupaca, Wisconsin, and Richard (Suzanne) Dent of Flint, Michigan, along with twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by five of her siblings: George Osterhaus of Menominee Falls, Wisconsin; Dorothy Prochnow of Wautoma, Wisconsin; Gordon (Doris) Osterhaus of Roanoke, Virginia; Ruth Tubbs of Plainfield, Wisconsin; and John Osterhaus of Fresno, California. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Arlie Dent, her brother Austin Osterhaus and his wife, Alice, her brother-in-law Harold Prochnow, sisters-in-law Sophia Osterhaus and Leona Osterhaus, and an infant brother.

Audrey's family extends its deepest thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Oakwood who gave such fine care to Audrey for so many years, and made those years filled with love and laughter for her. The family also thanks Agrace HospiceCare for its loving support to Audrey and us in her final illness.

A memorial service for Audrey will be held on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at the Tree of Life Chapel at Oakwood Village East, Prairie Ridge, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison. A lunch and time for fellowship will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to either Oakwood Foundation of Madison or Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., of Fitchburg.