Audrey Nissen

Audrey Herrmann Renner Nissen, aged 92, passed away Thursday, November 17th, at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva, ND.

Audrey Mae Herrmann, the oldest daughter of Ella and Ernest Herrmann, was born on a farm north of Zap, North Dakota, on May 16, 1930. She graduated from Zap High School as her class Valedictorian in 1948. She then attended business college in Mankato, MN, where she learned to type absolutely in sync with her classmates. She often recalled that the instructor conducted them like an orchestra so that each student hit the same key at the same time. She was an excellent typist for most of her life. Returning to Zap, Audrey married Paul J. Renner on June 20, 1950, and the couple moved to Billings, Montana. A few months later, Paul, who was in the Army reserve, was called to serve in Fort Ord, California, helping to get soldiers shipped out for the Korean War, and Audrey went with him. After serving in Fort Ord, the couple returned to Billings, MT, where their son Jim was born, and later back to Mercer County and then back to Zap.

Audrey raised 6 children and instilled in them her hard work ethic, kindness, and courage. When Paul died in 1970, times were tough; damage from the 1969 Zap-in meant that Audrey and the kids were left with less than $8 in assets. Audrey was determined to keep the family together and refused to accept welfare. Instead, she worked at the grocery store for less than a dollar an hour and did typing jobs to supplement the very small stipends she received from Social Security and the VA. In 1971, she accepted a higher paying job offer and moved the family to Minot where she worked for Minot Paving in the summer and Ann’s Fashions in the winter. While working at Minot Paving, Audrey met and fell in love with Frederick “Fritz” Nissen. They married on November 24, 1973.

After Fritz lost a long battle with cancer in 1992, Audrey focused on helping raise her 7 grandchildren, working on her garden, and serving the American Legion Auxiliary. Audrey served several terms as American Legion Auxiliary Unit 26 President, ran the Girls’ State program for Unit 26, and served in the honor guard for many years. In other words, she got a lot done.

Audrey’s life was full of both joys and sorrows. She met every challenge with grace and determination, and inspired her children and grandchildren to try to do the same. She valued her family, and her greatest legacies are her love and care.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Paul and Fritz, infant son, infant daughter Joanne, son Paul, sisters Myra Bitterman and Marti Shahinian, and daughter-in-law Debra.

Audrey is survived by sons, James (Jill), Barry, and Mike (Jolene); daughters, Gail (Dennis) Reiten and Cathy (Kevin) Jensen; grandchildren, Sam (Morgan) Renner, Eric (Amanda) Jensen, Andrew Reiten, Tyler (Erin) Jensen, Erik (Hollie) Renner, Julie Reiten, and Conlan Jensen; 13 great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral: Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home Chapel, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).