Audrey Joanne (Steffen) Dymond, 89, of Onalaska a formerly of West Bend, passed away Friday, May 30, 2025.  She was born on September 17, 1935 to Alice (nee Kelly) and Edward Steffen. Audrey’s early life was quite hard.

As a child, Audrey’s parents divorced and were unable to care for Audrey and her siblings, so they were sent to live with their aunt Mary (Casper) Arnold in a 2-bedroom house on a small farm in Franklin.   Mary and Casper already had nine children of their own.
As one of the older girls, there were always chores to do, food to cook, dishes to wash. There was not much time for anything besides school and chores.

After completing 9th grade, Audrey was withdrawn from school and sent to be a live-in nanny for a family in Milwaukee.  Although she liked the family and enjoyed having her own bedroom, there was still very little time off.  One day, a fellow nanny told her about a new posting. Although she lost her nice bedroom and now slept in the basement, she was afforded time off.  On one of these nights off, a 19-year-old Audrey and a friend went out to a local social center to hear a band.

In the band that night was a 17-year-old saxophone player.  That young man came over to talk to Audrey and her friend that evening.  He asked AUDREY’S FRIEND for her phone number.  She declined as she already had a beau.  Audrey, who was always painfully shy, spoke up and asked that saxophone player to ask for her number. And he did. And as they say the rest is history.   That saxophone player was Gerald Dymond.  After several years of dating while Gerry was in college and the army reserves, they married on June 18, 1960.

Audrey worked briefly at Gimbles in accounts after they were married but left that job when she became pregnant with her first son William.  From then on Audrey became a full-time mom and homemaker. And she excelled at those things.
Audrey and her husband and sons lived in Milwaukee and Hales Corners before moving to Madison.  As much as Audrey liked being a mom, she loved being a grandma more. When it was time for Gerry to retire in 1996, Audrey suggested they move to West Bend to be closer to their sons and favorite daughter in law (Linda) and their grandchildren.  They shared many happy years there making so many memories.

Audrey lost the love of her life in 2012 to Alzheimer’s.  She has missed him every day since then and has been waiting to be reunited.   In 2022, when Audrey could no longer live on her own, she moved to Havenwood Assisted Living in Onalaska to be near Bill and Linda, her grandsons, Brandon and Daniel, but most importantly to be near her great grandchildren Porter and Charlotte. She was overjoyed with every photo, call, visit and story about them. Every morning she started her day with a donut and a glass of kefir and sat quietly watching photos of those little ones on her video frame.

Audrey is now reunited with her love, Gerry, her sister, brothers, parents and other family who passed before her.  She is survived by her brother Leroy Steffen of Ogema, her son WIlliam/Bill (Linda) Dymond of Trempealeau, her son John Dymond of Waterford, her grandchildren: Brandon Dymond of Onalaska, Daniel (Laura) of Holmen, Hope Dymond (Tom Houser) of Madison, Jacob Dymond of Milwaukee, Joshua Dymond of Milwaukee and Matthew Dymond of Milwaukee and great grandchildren Porter and Charlotte Dymond of Holmen.

The family would like to thank the staff of Havenwood Assisted Living in Onalaska, Mayo Clinic Health Systems and Mayo Clinic Hospice for their superior care.

Audrey would encourage you all the eat the donuts, buy the jewelry, and cheer on her Milwaukee Bucks’  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Audrey’s favorite charities, Special Olympics, Alzheimer’s Association, or the Ronald Mc Donald House.

Her memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Wisconsin Memorial Park in the Family Center building, 13037 W Capitol Dr., Brookfield, WI.  Family and friends may visit from 11:00 am until the time of service.  A brunch will follow the service.  Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.