Audrey B. Steelman, 84, of Gifford, Iowa died on Monday, January 16, 2012 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora with Pastor Rochelle Swenson of the Gifford United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Sheppard Cemetery near Gifford. Visitation is from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, January 18 at Creps-Abels Funeral Home.
Audrey was born February 12, 1927 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, first born daughter of Ernest Albert Fichtner and Alfield Feeden Fichtner, and step-daughter of Elizabeth Ann Fichtner. She was raised and educated in Hardin County attending school in the Radcliffe and Hubbard area and graduating with the Hubbard Class of 1944. She attended AIB Business School in Des Moines and later worked as a secretary, in Hubbard, for Dr. Rogers.
On March 31, 1946 Audrey was united in marriage to Gene Steelman at the Evangelical Church of Hubbard where she was also baptized and confirmed. Audrey and Gene bought land in Gifford 1n 1950 and built their new home in 1955 where they have resided since. Audrey was a real estate broker associated with C.O. Rubow Realty then started Steelman Real Estate Services with her husband, Gene.
Audrey was a member of the Gifford United Methodist Church, being involved with their ladies group (WSCS) and teaching Sunday school. She also served on many boards including: the Heart of Iowa Board of Realtors serving as officer for many years, the National and Iowa Associations of Realtors, the original Eldora Hospital Auxiliary Board and the Pine Lake Country Club Board. In earlier years she also served as Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, bowling, golfing, and caring for her many house plants.
Surviving is her husband, Gene; daughter, Debra Campbell of Marshalltown; son, Scott of Gifford; sister, Elaine (David) Larson of Hubbard; brothers, Royce (Edith) Fichtner of Marshalltown and Rodney (Caroline) Fichtner of Randall; brothers-in-law, Jody (Sharon) Steelman of Eldora and Harold Guiles of Union; and by 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Patsy King; and sister-in-law, Colleen Guiles.