Audrey Godfrey

Audrey Godfrey, 93, of Superior, passed away peacefully May 12, 2010, at St. Francis Nursing Home.

Mrs. Godfrey was born June 4, 1917, to Brown and Ethel Philp in Menahga, Minnesota.

Audrey graduated from Menahga High School in 1935 and married Harold F. Benjamin of Minneapolis in 1940. The two were married for sixteen years and had two sons, Jerry and Tom. Mr. Benjamin passed away in 1956 in Norfolk, Nebraska where they were living at the time of his death. Several years later, Audrey was introduced to the late Tom Godfrey, long time Superior resident and community leader, by her sister-in-law, Nina Philp who was a life long friend of Mr. Godfrey. Like Audrey, Tom had lost his spouse, Julia, to cancer some years earlier. They were married in 1967 and resided in Superior. The result was a blessed opportunity for a “second chance” and the creation of a “blended” family consisting of Audrey’s sons and Tom’s two daughters, Julie and Bridget, and son Dennis.

Audrey earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education degrees from Wayne State University in Nebraska. Audrey was a kind and compassionate person who loved her years as an elementary school teacher both in Nebraska and Superior and later as a book keeper for M & C Oil in Superior. She was also an avid lover of music and the great outdoors and shared these loves with family and friends. Audrey had a strong faith and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Superior where she served as a Deacon for many years and sang in the choir.

Audrey is survived by two sons, Jerry (Patsy) Benjamin of Orinda, CA and Tom (Suchi) Benjamin of Maui, HA; two step daughters, Julie Miller of Duluth and Bridget Godfrey of Minneapolis, and daughter-in-law Marie Godfrey of Superior; six grandchildren, Alison Godfrey, Kristen (Ben Walters) Godfrey, Jamie (Anthony) Delaney, Sarah Benjamin, Tyler (Larry) Benjamin-Meyer, and Michael Waters; one great-grandchild, Riley Grace Benjamin-Meyer; one brother, Lee (Nancy) Philp; two sisters-in-law, Nina (Burton) Philp and Shirley (Arnie) Olson; nephew Jay Olson; great- nephew Johnny Olson and several other nephews and nieces.

Audrey is preceded in death by her husband, Tom, her parents, Brown and Ethel; her brother, Burton Philp; her sister, Beryl Philp, and her step son, Dennis Godfrey.

The family would like to express a special thanks to all the wonderful caregivers at St. Francis Nursing Home in Superior for the love and care they provided Audrey during recent years. Audrey loved the people who helped and cared for her and was always grateful for their kindness. An additional heartfelt thanks goes to St. Mary’s Hospice & Palliative Care and members of the United Presbyterian Church.

There will be Time of Remembrance from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Monday, May 17, 2010 in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th St., Superior.
Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, in Minneapolis.
Pallbearers for the service will include Jay Olson, Johnny Olson, Ben Walters, Jerry Benjamin, Tom Benjamin and honorary pallbearer will be Dennis Godfrey.

Please send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.