Audrey Mae (Graham) Kilzer was born April 25, 1926, near Staplehurst, to Howard and Barbara (Wolfe) Graham and passed away Oct. 16, 2022, in Seward, at the age of 96 years, 5 months and 21 days.
Audrey grew up on a farm west of Staplehurst and attended country school. She then attended Seward High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1943. Audrey was united in marriage to Willard Kilzer on Sept. 22, 1946, at the First Presbyterian Church in Seward. To this union, four children were born, Jolene, Rick, Bruce and Laurie. The couple moved to the Garland area to begin farming and in 1958, they moved north of Seward to start a larger farming operation. Audrey and Willard worked hand-in-hand on the farm. Audrey was an advocate for diabetes research and was always looking for better ways to take care of her diabetic sons. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church and was currently a member of the Great Plains Community Church in Goehner. Audrey enjoyed crocheting and working in her garden, bible studies as well as volunteering at the Seward Senior Center. Audrey also enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her family. In their retirement years, she and Willard loved to travel and go fishing.
Audrey is preceded in death by her husband, Willard (2013); her parents; sons, Rick (2013) and Bruce (2002); sisters and brothers-in-law, Claudine and Melvin Carpenter, Faye and Walter Lanman, Jane and Lyle McCasland, Elva Lee and Bud Wilken, and Norma and Fritz Duer.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her daughters, Jolene and husband, Walt Catlett, North Platte; Laurie Kilzer, Lincoln; grandchildren, Cara (Eric) Putman, Lafayette, Indiana; Janna Ryan, North Platte; Josh (Sarah) Catlett, North Platte; Joel (Michele) Catlett, Holdrege; Beth (Matt) Hraban, Durham, North Carolina; Julie (Dana) Wright, Grand Island; Jill (Scott) Henn, Oxford, New Zealand; brother, H. Dean Graham, Lincoln, 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
The funeral service will be Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Great Plains Community Church in Goehner. There will be a private family interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Heartfelt Children's Memorial or the church. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
