Audrey Wickel Durfee

Audrey Wickel Durfee (Heyne), 96, daughter of Louis and Eva (Winder) Wickel went to heaven peacefully in her home at Springdale, Idaho on October 12th, 2024. Almost a century of life cannot be summarized in so few words.

She was born at home in Conner Creek, Idaho on January 21st, 1928, with the assistance of the well-known traveling Doctor, "Doc Sater" for the average delivery price of $8. As a youth, she helped on the family farm and even picked up extra work when the family was sick and quarantined with Scarlet Fever. She attended elementary and middle school by horseback in Elba, Idaho graduating as a salutatorian. From there, she attended high school in Malta, Idaho.

During Audrey's senior year of high school, she met a WWII soldier and love of her life, Lyle N. Durfee from Almo. They were married and later moved to Sandpoint, Idaho before returning to Conner Creek. They worked hard on their farm and raised 6 children. She milked cows almost half of her life and always had a large garden that she would harvest and can. She would always preserve anything she could. Last summer she put up several batches of jam, many different varieties. She played the piano while her young girls sang to entertain others and was a great seamstress making her children’s clothes in the early years.

Audrey is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in the Primary, playing the organ, and served in the Relief Society. She was active in 4H as a leader with her children and was a member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneer organization. In 1967, she and Lyle, along with their 4 youngest, were sealed in the Logan, Utah Temple. Later, Lyle and Audrey moved to Burley and while there she worked at Simplot and Ore Ida. Lyle passed away in 1989 and Audrey continued to work at Ore Ida until retirement. She also finished her GED and graduated at the CSI building.

In 1992, she met and married Duvien Donald Heyne and gained two more children, Brian and Brenda Heyne. Audrey and Duvien bought and operated the Springdale Garden Nursery until Duvien passed away in 2002. Audrey loved flowers. Audrey continued to stay busy and opened her home to anyone and even hosted an exchange student from Kazakhstan. She spent a lot of time gardening, crocheting and attending the temple with her good friend Norma Edgar, among others. She crocheted many kitchen towels and gave them away at Christmas to grandkids, friends and anyone who came to see her. Family was a high priority for her, and she was a great example.

Audrey was such a hard worker, always busy and sharing her love with others and surely her work continues on in heaven. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands; Lyle Durfee and Duvein Heyne; daughters: Kathy Durfee, Lyla Durfee, and Vicky Knight; siblings: Wallace Wickel, Evah Wickel Arbon, Henry Lemmon Wickel, Laretta Wickel Adams, Eva Louise Wickel Winnett, and Harvey Louis Wickel; and 3 grandchildren. She’s survived by her children: Audrey Erickson of Springdale, Nick Durfee of Springdale and Ed Durfee of Kimberly; sister-in-law; Darlene (Gary) Friesen of Rupert; 17 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren and 36 great great grandchildren (111 living grandkids all together). Her viewing will be held 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Declo Stake Center. Funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024 also at the Declo Stake Center with a viewing held 10-10:45 a.m. The services are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary. Special thanks to all the family and friends who helped care for Audrey the last several weeks before passing and especially Sandra Lopez for taking care of our mother. Also, many thanks to the loving staff at Visions Hospice.