Audrey Mae Perkins

Audrey Mae Perkins passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 16, 2026, one month shy of her 100th birthday. Audrey was born on April 15, 1926, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Roy and Bessie Hanson. She married the love of her life, Jack Marlyn Perkins, in 1946 in Two Harbors, and together they celebrated 70 anniversaries of marriage. Raised in a musical family, Audrey developed her talents early, playing in the band, performing on the piano, and singing for plays, musicals, weddings, and funerals. Music remained a lifelong joy, enriching both her life and the lives of others. She graduated from Two Harbors High School in 1944 and attended Macalester College on a music scholarship for a time. Before starting her family, she worked alongside her father on the Two Harbors ore docks and later at the Two Harbors clinic. When Jack returned home from World War II, they were soon married, then began a devoted partnership that spanned a lifetime. Together they were blessed with four children and built a close-knit, loving family. The family cabin on Duck Lake near Park Rapids became a cherished gathering place filled with laughter, traditions, and lasting memories. Deeply devoted to her family, Audrey made certain each person felt her pride. She found great joy in cheering on her family at every stage of life, and had a special pride in watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren develop their talents. No birthday went unnoticed, as her family could always count on a heartfelt card and a cheerful song. Audrey had a remarkable gift for making others feel seen, welcomed, and loved. She approached life with an enthusiastic spirit and sense of joy. She was a great listener and confidant. Her face reflected a lifetime of twinkling smiles. Audrey was a gracious and loving mother and a devoted wife to Jack. She will be profoundly missed, yet her family finds peace in knowing she is now in Heaven with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her family was truly blessed by her nearly 100 years. Audrey was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 164 and a past president of the Two Harbors Women's Jaycees. After her children were grown, she enjoyed sharing Avon and was proud of her 26 years of administrative secretarial work in the Bloomington Schools. She was a member of Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington and later Plymouth Presbyterian Church, and she was deeply patriotic. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Perkins; her parents, Roy E. and Bessie Hanson; her sons, Bruce and Lee Perkins; and her siblings, June (Alton) Olsen, Roy F. (Florence, Jan) Hanson, and Thomas Hanson. She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Richard) Johnson of Superior and Penney (Don) Birdsong of Plymouth; her daughter-in-law, Sue Perkins of Waconia; and her grandchildren, Jennifer (Ross) Peterson of Superior; Tiffany (Greg) Elton of Esko; Scott (Jacqui) Johnson of Andover; Jessica (Mark) Powell of St. Michael; Lindsey (Tom) Douty of Plymouth; Brittany Perkins of Cologne; Claire (Tyson) Smith of Grand Marais; Tony (Laura) Birdsong of Blaine; Andy (Megan) Birdsong of Brooklyn, New York; and Joey (Clara) Birdsong of Rogers. She was also blessed with 16 great-grandchildren. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dove Healthcare and Essentia Health for their kind and compassionate care. A celebration of Audrey's life will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Washburn-McReavy Dawn Valley Funeral Chapel and Memorial Park, 9940 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, Minnesota. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, with a graveside service and luncheon to follow. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Tributes

Audrey Mae Perkins

April 15, 1926 - March 16, 2026

Tributes

Audrey Mae Perkins

April 15, 1926 - March 16, 2026

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