Audrey M. Spilman

Audrey M. Spilman, 95, Clear Lake, died Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.  According to her wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Iowa.  A private memorial service will be held at a later date.  A private family inurnment will take place at the Clear Lake Cemetery later. Memorials in Audrey’s name may be made to the

 Clear Lake Art’s Center or to Opportunity Village in care of David Spilman, 16 S. Shore Dr., #7, Clear Lake, Iowa, 50428.

    Audrey Maxine was born Nov. 27, 1918 in Nora Springs, Iowa, the daughter of James Fenton and Viola Elsie (Benson) Rhodes.  She lived and attended school in rural Hanlontown, Iowa, Lincoln Township # 2 Cerro Gordo County School.  After moving to rural Mason City, she commuted by railroad to Hanlontown thru 10th grade.  She graduated from Mason City High School where she spent her junior and senior years.  

Audrey married Dale Sidney Spilman on June 8, 1939.  They lived on a farm in rural Clear Lake, and then in 1947 they moved to a farm in rural Thornton.  In 2004 Audrey moved to her Clear Lake condominium.  

Audrey’s “favorites” include Big Band music at the Surf Ballroom, watching and recording “The Lawrence Welk Show” on Saturday night, riding her horse, Buster, going to the cinema, attending plays and concerts, reading, walks on the farm and along the lake, keeping up with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, traveling (she traveled 25 states, Canada, and Mexico, but especially loved seeing the Branson, Mo., shows) and watching “Regis” during breakfast.  She was most fond of caring for her family and having coffee and treats with her friends.  Audrey was admired for her curious mind, kind heart, positive attitude and independent spirit, and loved by all who knew her.  She enjoyed studying the scriptures with Bob, Jean and Sue Wilson.

     Audrey is survived by five children, David James Spilman, Clear Lake, Donita Jeanne Spilman, Clear Lake, Dale Wayne Spilman, Mason City, Virginia Viola (Dan) Suby, Westgate, Iowa, and Cynthia Audrene Spilman, Mason City; grandson, Christopher Suby, Marshalltown, Iowa; four granddaughters, Holliday (Steve) Miller, Waterloo, Iowa, Wendy Honken, Mason City,  Mary Ann (Tony) Behrens, Forest City, Iowa, and  Betsy (Jesse) Tibodeau, Nevada, Iowa; 10 great-grandchildren, Kole McKenzie, Alexandra Joy, Taylor Morgan, Izaak Storm,  Ashley Elizabeth, Nicole Rae, Corey Allen, Colton Chase, Caitlyn Elizabeth, and Melissa Ann; and one great-great-grandchild, Jayden Scott Walker; half-sister, Jean Jacobson, Littleton, Colo.; step-mother, Ruth Rhodes, Fertile, Iowa: sisters-in-law, Betty Thomas and Phyllis Till-Spilman, Clear Lake; and brother-in-law, Danny Spilman, Rockwell, Iowa; lifelong friend, Paulina Loehndorf, Aitkin, Minn.; and special friends, Louis Cota, Mason City, and Arlene and Brian Barber, Clear Lake.

     Audrey was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dale, on Dec. 3, 1985.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.