White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

ROWLEY – Audrey Lillian Kress, 96, of Independence, IA, and formerly of Rowley, IA, died Tuesday, September 19, 2023, of natural causes at Prairie Hills Assisted Living in Independence.

She was born June 11, 1927, at home in rural Linn County, IA, the daughter of Joseph Willard Buckingham and Margaret Lena (Gipe) Buckingham. Her father died before she was born, so her stepfather, Clarence Christian Kress, lovingly helped raise Audrey.

Audrey graduated from Quasqueton High School with the class of 1943 and worked as a nanny for a short time. On December 7, 1946, she was united in marriage to Leo Duane Kress at the Four Square Church in Independence, IA. Audrey was very proud of the fact that her sister, Maude, was the officiant of the ceremony. When Leo died March 29, 2021, the couple had been married 74 years.

Audrey and Leo moved a handful of times around the Buchanan County area before settling just outside of Rowley, where they made their family farm. Audrey helped with the farm operation and tended to her large garden. She worked as a telephone operator and then as an aid at the Mental Health Institute; however, the majority of her career was as Dr. Sloan’s medical assistant in Quasqueton. Audrey enjoyed square dancing and was a member of the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club. She was also a member of the Quasqueton Union Church in Quasqueton.

Audrey is survived by three daughters, Sally Manson of Quasqueton, IA, Gloria (Leon) Bockman of Decorah, IA, Cyndi (Rick) Bergeson of Independence, IA; 12 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; her late son’s significant other, Lori Cleveland of Independence, IA; and one sister-in-law, Maye Kress of Cedar Rapids, IA.

She is preceded in death by her parents and step-father; her husband; one son, Duane Kress; one grandson, Gordon Bergeson; three brothers, Albert Buckingham, Harold Buckingham, Leslie Buckingham; three sisters, Maude Ghere, Gladys Cornwell, Lois Thompson; and one son-in-law, James Manson.

Graveside services will be 1:00 p.m. – Sunday, September 24, 2023, at the Quasqueton Cemetery, Quasqueton, IA, with Pastor Kevin Jennings officiating. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at Eddie’s in Quasqueton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and Cedar Valley Hospice.

Online condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com

White Funeral Home, Independence, IA is assisting the family.