Audrey Ann Graupmann Eickhof

Audrey Eickhof passed away on December 15th in St. Paul at the age of 99. Audrey was born on September 16, 1926 to Rufus and Alice Graupmann in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Audrey was the first child of two girls, having a younger sister Kay.

She graduated from Faribault High School. She spent her freshman year at St. Olaf and then completed her education at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor of Arts focusing on Education, majoring in Recreational Leadership.

Audrey married Jack Eickhof in 1949 and celebrated 71 years of marriage together. They had six children. In 1962 Jack's brother Charles and wife Barbara were killed in a plane crash. Their two sons (Robert and Paul) became part of Audrey and Jack's family, while the two daughters (Catherine and Martha) became part of Ralph's (Jack's brother) family allowing the children to stay close.

Audrey was very engaged in the activities of the city of Crookston. A partial listing of her activities include: Served as Crookston Presbyterian Church Deacon and release time teacher. Member of PEO sisterhood for over 50 years which she joined when she moved to Crookston and kept up when she moved to Waverly Gardens in St. Paul. Director of the teen-age "Hot-Line" program, and area representative in writing legislation for the 1973 Community Schools Act. Co-Chair of the 1976 "Conference on Rural America", a major conference that reached over 10,000 individuals. Chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer of the Crookston High School school board and a founding board member for the Minnesota Council for the Arts Education board. Republican Chairwoman of Polk County for 7 years. She and Jack were founding members of the Crookston Compationate Friends chapter after their daughter Gretchen's passing.

She received many honors for her community service. In 1975, she received the State of Minnesota Beautiful Activist award, and the WCCO radio "Good Neighbor" award. She became an AAUW Honorary Life member after fifty years of membership.

Jack and Audrey loved to host fun gatherings for their friends. They helped organized the Crookston Town and Country Dance Club during their early years in Crookston. They also formed the Union Lake Volleyball Club that met every Tuesday throughout the summer for a game or two of volleyball followed by a dinner gathering.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents Rufus and Alice; her sister Kay; her daughter, Gretchen (1978); her husband, Jack (2020); and her daughter in law, Joyce Hagen (2024).

She is survived by her children; Jo Dell (Mark) Brekken of Apple Valley, Le Anne Eickhof (Doug Heinzen) of North Oaks, Robert Eickhof of Seattle, Washington, Paul (Cecelia) Eickhof of Crookston, Minnesota, John (Kristi) Eickhof of Marco Island, Florida, Kurt Eickhof of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Heidi (Tim) Wills of Scottsdale, Arizona. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren; Andrew (Jen) Brekken, Ben (Katie) Brekken, Jessica Jakubic, Charles Eickhof, Lauren (Andrew) Syrup, Eric (Alli) Eickhof, Jack Knut (Katy Beth) Eickhof, Kale Eickhof, Hadley Eickhof, Barret and Gabi Eickhof, Adam (Grace) Wills, Tanner Wills; and nine great grandchildren (Gavin Brekken, Jax Jakubic, Declan Syrup, Giselle Syrup, Jude Eickhof, Ari Eickhof, Otto Eickhof, Everett Eickhof, Isa Eickhof and Tony Brekken).

A Celebration of Life will be held for Audrey on January 16th at 11:00 AM at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear, with a visitation one hour before. She will be inurned at the Crookston Presbyterian Church.

As a tribute to Audrey, memorials are preferred to the Crookston Presbyterian Church, 510 N. Broadway, Crookston, MN. 56716 or the University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Mpls., MN. 55486-0266.