Audrey Jean (Schwebke) Cardella, 80, of Redfield, SD, passed away Monday, August 28, 2023, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen after being diagnosed with cancer.

Audrey was born May 1, 1943, in Fond du Lac, WI, to Walter and Edessa (Miller) Schwebke. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1961. Following her graduation, Audrey attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Mitchell, SD.

Audrey started her career as a registered nurse working in Sterling, CO, before moving to Bethpage, New York. While living in New York, she gave birth to her two sons, Michael John Cardella and Thomas Peter Cardella.

In the spring of 1978, Audrey moved back to Redfield with her sons. In Redfield, she worked as a dormitory nurse at the South Dakota Developmental Center for 28 years.

Audrey demonstrated a moral conviction to do the right thing, acted in an honest, trustworthy, and respectful manner, and went above and beyond for her patient's medical needs.

In her free time, Audrey loved reading, crocheting, watching the birds eat from their feeders, and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.

She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield, SD.

Visitation, with family present, will take place Friday, September 1, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. A prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m.

Audrey's funeral service will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. The funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below Audrey's obituary (www.hykefuneralhome.com).  She will be buried, privately, next to her mother, Edessa, at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield at a later date.

Audrey is survived by her loving sons, Michael and wife, Christy, of Aberdeen, SD, and Thomas and wife, Lisa, of New Prague, MN. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Elise, Tyler, Miyah, Ryan, and Jordan, her niece Miranda, and one great granddaughter, Aurora.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Edessa, and her brother, James.

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Thanks to the participants in Audrey's service:

Clergy ~ Reverend Keith C. Kraft

Pianist ~ Lynette Munce Flint

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