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Audrey Lee Reid, 89

| October 10, 2023 1:00 AM

Audrey Lee (Johnson, Brockway) Reid

Audrey Lee Yanz was born July 16, 1934, in Los Angeles, Calif., the second daughter of Wally and Betty Yanz. 

She grew up on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by her extended immigrant family. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1952 and, a year later, married her high school sweetheart, Barry B. Johnson.

Audrey and Barry had four sons: Barry Lee, Bruce, Brett and Kevin. By 1958, they had settled in Riverside, Calif., and in 1966, they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, and bought a small farm in Elmira.

In 1980, she married Jim Brockway and moved into town, into the house she lived in until she died. After Jim’s passing, she was married to Bill Reid in 2001 until his death in 2016.

Audrey was always full of energy. She worked hard, played hard, and laughed loudly. She loved to fish, toll paint, collect antiques, and especially spend time with those she loved. She was an enthusiastic driver and loved trips — short and long. She put thousands of miles a year on her 1996 Park Avenue. She died a few hours after returning from a drive on her last day.

Audrey worked a variety of jobs throughout her busy life and, for eight years, owned “Audrey’s Burger Bar” in Bayview, Idaho. Though her working talents were many, she always said her very favorite job was waitressing. She loved the interaction with people but was not to be trifled with. Heaven help the unruly or rude patron who crossed her path. He would quickly learn the shortest path to the “exit."

For many years, Audrey volunteered tirelessly, helping to administrate the local chapter of the Wishing Star Foundation, raising money to provide “wishes” for children with life-threatening diseases. She was a strong advocate and a top fund-raiser for the foundation.

Audrey’s family was her supreme treasure. She doted on her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She sacrificed for their well-being and care. She would make a few calls, almost daily, to some close friends or family members, “just to say I love you.” And she loved to laugh. That was always her measure of a good time — and how she wanted to be remembered.

Audrey had a deep, consistent, faithful trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as her own personal Savior. She was the last original member of New Song Bible Church, still in attendance. She created, organized, and served the church’s after-service dessert time every week from the very first Sunday until she finally retired, just this year. 

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Pat; brother, Michael; her three husbands; her infant son, Brett; and her granddaughter, Halee. She is survived by her three sons, Barry (Cari) Johnson, Bruce (Shelly) Johnson and Kevin Johnson; her eleven grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, Jake, Casey, Michael, Jared, Kelly, Joni, Mariah, Lily and Joel; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at New Song Bible Church, with pastor Barry Johnson officiating. Inurnment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to Bonner County churches' Helping Hands, Healing Hearts ministry at 503 Pine St., Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Family and friends are invited to sign Audrey’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.