Audrey G. Kreycik, 93

Audrey Grace Kreycik, 93, passed away February 12, 2024. She was born August 6, 1930 to Harold and Eva (Carpenter) Barnes in Neligh. She was one of two daughters and four sons. When Audrey turned nine the Barnes family moved to Valentine where Harold was the manager of the Standard Service Station. Audrey attended public schools and graduated from Valentine High School in 1948. She excelled in drama, winning awards for humorous readings.

As a cheerleader she caught the eye of Keith Kreycik and it was a slam dunk. Audrey and Keith married in 1950 and honeymooned in Fort Collins, CO before moving to Lincoln where Keith attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska. They moved from Lincoln to Tecumseh and ultimately settled back in Valentine where they started their family of three daughters: Laura, Beth and Amy.

Audrey drove the girls and neighbors to school and back, taught them how to ice skate on the Mill Pond and made sure they had May Baskets to give to every one of their classmates.

Wherever Keith and Audrey lived they made lasting friendships. Following a move to Alliance they moved to Lakewood and remained in Colorado for the rest of their lives. Later, Audrey and Keith became “snowbirds,” spending the cold months in Arizona where they entertained family and friends, returning to Lakewood during the warmer months.

Audrey played golf, bridge and traveled with Keith. They were blessed with seven grandchildren. Audrey certainly won the “best grandma ever” award for being fun, creative and generous.

In 2018, Audrey and Keith moved to Good Samaritan Society at Water Valley, an independent retirement living facility in Windsor, CO. There they began a new chapter of their lives together and made many new friends.

When Keith passed away in 2021, Audrey refused to go into a decline. Although her best friend was gone she continued to develop her friendships and enjoy her family. She remained steadfast and grew in her faith.

Among many things, Audrey will be remembered for her homemade cinnamon rolls and soups, her dedication to Husker football, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Audrey was a numbers gal. She kept track of cards received. It wasn’t enough to know if a team won or lost, she wanted the score. She learned to utilize “Alexa” for weather updates and the temperatures across the nation where friends and relations lived. In the evenings, Audrey listened to music selected from Alexa’s storehouse. She faithfully made phone calls and kept track of her loved ones.

Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; her parents, Harold and Eva Barnes; brothers, Charles and Harold Jr. and sister, Betty.

She is survived by daughters Laura Powell, Cheyenne, WY, Beth Dillard, Alpharetta, GA and Amy Rice, Longmont, CO; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren with another on the way.

Memorials were held February 24, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society at Water Valley Chapel in Windsor, CO, and February 25 at Phillips United Methodist Church in Lakewood, CO.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: jdrf.org The Chronic Disease Fund: mygooddays. org (helps patients with macular degeneration).