Audrey Harken

Audrey Harken, 95, of West St. Paul, died on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at Walker Methodist Care Suites, surrounded by her family.

Audrey Janeth Keiper was born 1/23/1928, the first daughter of Adelaide (Choate) Keiper and Rueben W. Keiper in West St. Paul. She was the second of four children and educated in the West St. Paul School System and graduated from Humboldt High School at 17 years old in 1945.

Her first job was working for Armour's in the mailroom and she also cashiered in the executive and employee cafeterias. Audrey met the love of her life, Robert J. "Bob" Harken when they were teenagers at Sugar Lake near Annandale, MN. Audrey and Bob were married on July, 23, 1947. To this union were born two sons Robert J. Harken Jr. and Stephen J. Harken. This union lasted 59 years before Bob's passing in 2006. Both Audrey and Bob worked for the 3M company. Audrey worked part time in the cafeteria for 32 years. She loved the daily interactions with her co-workers. Audrey and Bob purchased a farmstead near Motley, MN in 1964; "Their Heaven on Earth". They loved the peace, quiet, freshness, tranquility, and wildlife of the Northwoods for almost 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and siblings, Rueben "Warren" Keiper (Shirley), Judy Van Ranst (Jerry), William (Bill) Keiper (Sherri); and grandson, Daniel Robert Harken; and grand daughter-in-law; Dawn Harken.

She is survived by her sons, Robert J. Harken Jr. (Patricia) of St. Paul and Stephen J. Harken (Shelby) of Manvel, ND; sister-in-law, Carol Bolte, of St. Paul; grandchildren, Mark Harken (Gail) of Cambridge, Jim Harken (Kenda) of New Richmond, WI, Jeff Harken of Inver Grove, and Stephanie Suedel (Adam) of Grand Forks, ND; great grandchildren, Justin Harken (Jessica) of Havre, MT, Alecia Harken of Minneapolis, Sara Harken of Minneapolis, Jeffrey Harken (Tori) of New Richmond, WI, Daniel Suedel of Grand Forks, ND, and Analynn Suedel of Grand Forks, ND; great-great grandchildren, Jackson and John Harken of Havre, MT and Audrey and Magnolia Harken of New Richmond, WI.

Audrey lived a life of loving and caring. She always lived by the "golden rule" to treat other people as you want to be treated. She wants to thank everyone for a great and loving life that she received from all her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Audrey requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity in her name to help others.

A loving thank you to all the staff at Walker Westwood Ridge as well as the Our Lady of Peace Hospice Team.

Audrey wishes to be cremated and laid to rest next to her beloved Bob at the family plot where they can rest in the Northwoods forever together in peace. Family will hold a private service and interment in the spring.