Audrey A. Luken

Audrey A. Luken, age 87, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at her residence with her family by her side.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022, at St. Martins Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Paul Kuckhahn will officiate.  Music will be provided by Suzie Steinmetz as organist with Jonathan and Emily Niemi as vocalists. The funeral service will be live streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 3-5 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Monday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Makepeace, Gabe Aberle, Brian Boyston, Gary Young, Nathen Lakness, and Joe Lakness. Active pallbearers will be Chris Loiseau, Jeremy Dornbusch, Gavin Dornbusch, Lee Borns, Travis Young, and Dustin Sinner.

Audrey was born on August 1, 1935, in Rauville, SD to Virgil and Ethel  (Weaver) Papka. She attended Watertown High School in Watertown,

On September 2 ,1954, Audrey married Vern Luken at St. Martins Lutheran Church. The couple was married for sixty eight years and three months. The couple made their home in Watertown where she worked at Herberger’s and Midland National Life. She also worked as a Secretary for St. Martin’s church for five years.

She worked beside her husband for over forty years where they had many businesses. She was the first one to work.  They also bought and sold many houses and joked about the moving at least once a year.

She believed a family who eats together stays together. She loved making Sunday dinners for all the family. She also enjoyed spending winters in Scottsdale, AZ.  Audrey was a lifelong member of St. Martins Church and loved to play cards.

Audrey is survived by her husband,  Vern of Watertown; one daughter, Suzanne (Virgil) Borns of Watertown; two sons, Mike Luken of Watertown and Paul (Ty) Luken of Watertown; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ramona Mehrer of Sioux City, IA.

Audrey is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Ethel Papka; and one sister Doris Hubarth.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant.

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