Audre Mae Johnson, age 82, of Lonsdale, died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, August 10, 2026. Audre was born on November 19, 1943, in Dassel, MN, to Warren and Mae (Ostlund) Nelson. She was a proud graduate of Dassel High School and went on to earn her Registered Nursing degree from Northwestern Hospital Nursing Program. Audre married her high school sweetheart, Robert Johnson, on September 26, 1964, at First Lutheran Church in Dassel. The young couple started out in Burnsville, where they had their three children. Audre worked as an RN for hospitals and multiple organizations including Family Physicians in Burnsville until their youngest, Jesse, was born. At that time, she stayed home and pursued other careers, including a license in real estate. A move to a farm in Savage brought tranquility and the couple finally settled in New Prague in 1998 to be closer to family.

Tragedy would strike Audre’s life with the suicide death of her beloved son, Jesse. Audre’s indomitable spirit went into overdrive. It was further challenged when tragedy would strike once again with the suicide death of her daughter, Rochelle, in 2020. She was a relentless force in suicide prevention work and a fierce advocate for organ donation. She volunteered with Life Source, earning Volunteer of the Year. She spoke at the high school, telling her story with empathy and courage. She met some of the recipients of Jesse’s organs; she even accompanied the man who received Jesse’s lungs on speaking engagements. Audre’s heart was huge and the word “no” was not found in her vocabulary. No task was too great, no request impossible. Her resilience and energy were indefatigable. After Jesse’s death, she felt the calling to return to nursing and went to work at the nursing home for about 5 years, feeling the elderly now fed her ministering heart. Audre and Bob’s final move took them to Lonsdale. It was there that she found fertile ground to fulfill another love – antiques! She opened Audre’s Attic, Antiques and Junque, a shop that she lovingly operated for about 10 years.

Her dedicated spirit also found sustenance at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a tireless volunteer. After her parents died, Audre saw the need for community for parishioners. She started the Thanksgiving dinners, open to anyone who had nowhere to share the holiday. She mentored the confirmation program, volunteered in other areas and served as a volunteer chaplain at Queen of Peace. I would suspect, however, that perhaps one of Audre’s proudest activities was that of grandma! Her capacity to love knew no bounds. At grandparents’ day in grade school, if a child had no grandparent present, Audre willing stepped in and could be photographed hugging as many children as needed to crowd into her arms; she was grandma to all!

When you met Audre, you were immediately her friend! It was a gift easily bestowed. She was a member of many groups: a long-standing couples’ group that had life-time staying power from the church they attended in Burnsville, the Amazing Grays coffee group at church, Fishtale Dinner Group, her Northfield weekly dancing group, and her Fitness Center Group. Audre was the center of hospitality and fun!

Audre’s footprint was huge and the legacy she left will be sorely missed and difficult to fill. Her spirit was full of sunshine and optimism. It only took being with Audre for a few minutes to turn a cloudy, dark day into one filled with sunshine and gratitude. She was a gift to all who were fortunate enough to know her!

Audre is survived by her daughter, Nicole (Brad) Schmitz of New Prague; grandchildren, Krysta Sorensen, Lucas Sorensen, Matthew Schmitz (fiancé, Morgan Cox), Emily (Nathan) Simon, Benjamin Schmitz (Ella Mae Langwith), Jackson Johnson-Nesmoe, Tyler Nesmoe (Mariah Fournier), Jace Nesmoe (Brenna Osgood); great-grandchildren, Liam & Joshua Jeno, Oliver Sorensen, Hudson Nesmoe; Honorary family, Jeremy Nesmoe, Tara Nesmoe-Thompson, Zach Thompson and Devin, Dylan, & Lucas Thompson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, on January 7, 2022; son, Jesse Johnson; daughter, Rochelle Sorensen; son-in-law, David Sorensen; brother, Lynn Nelson on June 26, 2026; nephew, Chance Nelson.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague. Visitation will take place Thursday, the 10th, from 4-7 pm at Bruzek Funeral Home and Friday morning at church 1 hour prior to service, starting at 10:00. Burial will take place at Czech National Cemetery with immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, memorials are prefered to Duck Cup Memorial.