Audrey Margaret Dura

Audrey (Johnson) Dura was born on April 5, 1923 to Oscar and Martina (Ecklund) Johnson in Harwood, ND where she was raised as the youngest of 5 children on a farm west of town. Audrey graduated from Oak Grove High School at the age of 16. She attended Moorhead State University and earned an Associates Degree in Education. At 18 years of age, she began her 30-year teaching career in Argusville, ND and then transferred to Harwood until the 3-room school was shut down. In 1972, she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Moorhead State. Audrey retired from the West Fargo School District in 1981.

While teaching in Harwood, she met and married Leo Dura in Fargo on February 10, 1946. They remained married until Leo passed in March of 2000. They began their lives together in Harwood after Leo finished his enlistment in the Navy. They moved to Fargo where Leo worked for Northern States Power Company and lived next door to her brother, Clifford Johnson and family. Leo and Audrey welcomed Linda Ann, on January 21, 1948. Then on September 8, 1952, they welcomed Timothy Leon. The Dura's relocated to 4th Street in North Fargo and spent the rest of their days residing there. Audrey said that her home was one of the places on Earth that she enjoyed the most. She also loved being at the lake, playing cards, especially bridge, reading, crocheting, walking, putzing in her garden, and dancing the waltz.

After Leo passed in 2000, Audrey moved to Waterford in South Fargo, then relocated to Wyoming, MN and finally to Ecumen North Branch, MN where she passed on December 16, 2017 at the age of 94.

Paving her way to Heaven are her husband Leo and daughter Linda; her parents, Oscar and Martina; her sisters, Bertha, Celia, Irene and brother, Clifford. Audrey is survived by her son, Tim (Lian) Dura; 2 granddaughters who she adored, Phoebe (Tim) Pekron, Ashley (Rene) Avalos, and 3 great-grandchildren, Jack and Olivia (Phoebe) and Oliver (Ashley).
Her message to family and friends: "I love them and I want them to remember me for myself." Our message to her: "We love you so much and will miss you terribly. Please look out for us as our time comes to be reunited with you."

In lieu of memorials, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society in Audrey’s name.