Missoula - Audrey E. Konie, 97, passed away in the morning, Friday, February 17, 2023, at The Springs in Missoula.

Audrey Konie made the most of her ninety-seven years. Living through the deprivations of the Great Depression would color her world view for the remainder of her life. For Audrey, every material thing had a use, and then a second, sometimes a third life. If it could be reused, repaired, repurposed or recycled, it was. She met every struggle with a smile and rock-solid determination.

She married her high school sweetheart, Bill, during the dark days of World War II," chasing him till he caught me ", she would quip. That marriage would last 74 years, ending when Bill died.

She treasured her family. You would often hear her whistling a happy tune while she went about the many tasks of keeping a household and raising four diverse kids and a dog.

Bill became the primary breadwinner as an osteologist at a biological laboratory and a Chicago fireman/battalion chief. Audrey found work as a bank teller and bookkeeper. She believed in the rewards earned by hard work and honesty and instilled those values in her children. Those children, grandchildren and their families all led successful lives thanks to those lessons; becoming military officers, policemen, doctors, nurses, and airline pilots.

Cooking was her forte', but not all culinary experiments met with rave reviews. In the spirit of recycling, ingredients originally meant for something else sometimes resulted in curious concoctions. She taught (and enforced) the lessons of a balanced diet as well as a balanced life.

As the ravages of her advancing age began to take its toll, she fought to maintain her independence. Even as she lost many physical abilities, she still possessed a sharp mind and a sharper wit and could drop a 'wisdom bomb' at the drop of a hat. But all good things must come to an end. That came for Audrey Konie just as Montana began to shake off the burden of another winter.

Now the days are morphing into the tenderness of Spring. They remind us of her sunny disposition. And as Spring emerges, we'll remember how much she loved the Spring, the new growth, the flowers, and the promise of rebirth; a new life.