On December 31, 2010 the family of Frances Audrey Sutherland gathered to honor her at a private Mass of Christian Burial at her parish church, Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge, MN. Interment followed at the Stanchfield Baptist Church Cemetery, in Stanchfield, MN.
Audrey was born on February 1, 1916 in Minneapolis, MN to Benjamin James and Frances Mary (Ackerley) Knowles. The family resided in Fergus Falls and Winona, and Audrey graduated from Cathedral High School in Winona in 1934. She attended and graduated from Winona Business College, began working, and moved back to Minneapolis in 1939, assisting her father in his architectural practice.
She married Howard Duane Sutherland on October 12, 1940. They dedicated their lives to their family and their faith and lovingly raised their family in St. Mark’s Parish in St. Paul. Audrey’s priority was her children and grandchildren and she also enjoyed writing, quilting, sewing, knitting, gardening, baking, bridge, bible study clubs, and volunteering her time and talents through parish, neighborhood, and community activities and organizations. Audrey’s caring heart and her extension of kindness and hospitality were appreciated by all who knew her.
Looking toward retirement, Howard and Audrey built their retirement home on the Sutherland property outside of Grandy, in Stanchfield, Minnesota, where they officially retired in 1976. Audrey continued to live in their home after Howard’s death in 1978 and was actively involved at Christ the King Catholic Church and with the Grandy Good Cheer Guild of Grandy, Minnesota.
Audrey spent many happy years in the country delighting in her grandchildren, enjoying her friendships, and appreciating the beauty of the lake, the fields, the woods, the fresh air, the wildlife – all of nature. She deeply missed being away from “The Farm” for any period of time and commented on how hard it was to be away.
During the past ten years Audrey encountered health challenges and required additional care, prompting a move to the Twin Cities area to be within the care of her family.
Audrey is survived by her children James Howard (Mary) Sutherland, Mary Frances Sutherland, Stephen Dean Sutherland, and Joan Marie Sutherland (Jesus) Marquez; grandchildren Amy Jean (William) Schneider, Daniel (Cheryl) Sutherland, Timothy Sutherland, Trina (Paul) Wentzel, Kira (Brice) Schemmel, Michael Sutherland, Marisela Joan Marquez, Alma Francine Marquez, Cora Marie Marquez, six great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.