Audrey Sonia Hartje was born on April 18, 1931 at her family farm in Walnut Iowa.  She was one of 6 children of Henry and Alma (Jacobsen) Koenig.  Henry came to the U.S. from Denmark when he was 16 and Alma's parents emigrated from Denmark before Alma was born.  In addition to running a farm, Audrey's parents were ballroom owner/ operators for some 45 years.  The ballroom most people remember is the Acova (Avoca spelled backwards) Ballroom, where people came from miles around to listen and dance to big band music and orchestras on Saturday night.  Audrey grew up listening to and appreciating great music.

Audrey was baptized at the English Lutheran Church in Avoca Iowa. She attended country school for her elementary education and graduated from Walnut High School in 1949. She attended Van Sant Business College in Omaha Nebraska. After she completed her education, she worked as a secretary in Omaha for 1 ½ years, until she was married. On February 24 1951, she was united in marriage to Lyle Duane McClain at the Lutheran Church in Walnut Iowa. They had two children:  Michael Dean and Carla Jean.  In 1959 they moved to Anaheim California where Lyle was partners with his 1 ^st cousin Carl Timberman, in the construction business.

In 1965 the family moved back to Iowa.  Lyle and Lowell Husz would become co owners of Botna Valley Construction Inc., located in Oakland.  In 1968 Audrey would start work in Oakland as a secretary for Onley Refrigerated Transportation, a company that was based out of New York.  Before long she was promoted to office manager and then promoted again to the position of overall terminal manager.  She worked in that position for several years before retiring after an 18 year career. In 1983 Lyle suddenly died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 54. Lyle and Audrey had been happily married for 32 years.

On June 28 ^th 1986 Audrey married Lowell (Gus) George Hartje at the United Methodist Church in Oakland Iowa. On their honeymoon they went on a real adventure to the Northwest Territories near the Arctic Circle to explore and go fishing.  Gus and Audrey made their home in the house he built on his farm south of Minden.  Since they were both retired, they enjoyed traveling together and especially spending time with their family and friends. Gus and Audrey had been happily married 23 years when Gus died on June 3, 2009.

Audrey attended Wheeler Grove church in Carson Iowa and Oakland Methodist Church.

Audrey was fortunate to travel interesting places. One with Lyle when they traveled to Denmark to meet her Danish relatives and learn more about her heritage, and another when she and Gus went to Hong Kong and visited family living there at the time.

In October 2015 Audrey's family moved her to Coronado Island to be closer to them. She enjoyed her community and getting to spend time with her granddaughters.  One of her favorite activities was strolling along the San Diego Bay looking at city skyline with her family. Audrey died on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020 in Coronado Ca., at the age of 88 years, 11 months, and 25 days.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle McClain; her husband Lowell Hartje; her parents; her siblings Russell and Agnes in infancy; sisters Geraldine Petersen and Nina Bruce; brother Harold Koenig; stepson Tom Hartje; stepdaughter in law Linda Hartje.

Audrey is survived by her children; Michael McClain of Thousand Oaks California, Carla O'Connell and her husband Stephen from Coronado, California; grandchildren Lyle Ann and Sally McClain, Elyse and Grace O'Connell; stepchildren Dr. James Hartje and his wife Kem of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, Ron Hartje and his wife Marion of La Jolla California, stepdaughter in law Annie Hartje of Calabasas California; her step grandchildren Dana Cardwell, Shawn Hartje, Rachael Miller, Amanda Francisco, Kayla Hartje and James Hartje; plus other relatives, nieces and nephews.

Audrey felt blessed to have many lifetime friends that she cherished and with whom she had wonderful times. She loved life, her family and friends and they loved her.

Until we meet again.

A private burial will be held at Wheeler Grove Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to Wheeler Grove Church or Oakland United Methodist Church or whatever your favorite charity is.