Audrey S. Tommerson

MADISON - Audrey (Spooner) Tommerson, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 27, 2019. She came into this world at Elkhorn Hospital on Sept. 13, 1932, and was the first of six children born to Douglas and Waltina Spooner, who later settled their family in Beloit. Because her mother was seriously ill for many years, Audrey spent much of her youth undertaking household responsibilities. However, music was an integral part of Audrey’s young adulthood and something she enjoyed all her life. She played in the orchestra and band at Beloit Memorial High School and was a violinist in the new Beloit Symphony Orchestra under maestro Lewis Dalvit, its founder. On occasion, her young children could be found in the balcony enjoying performances of The Nutcracker or Peter and the Wolf. In later years, Audrey sponsored a small music scholarship at Beloit Memorial. Though Audrey’s first marriage to Wesley Hopper ended in divorce, it also gave her three children who were the light of her life. Single motherhood was a struggle, but even working long hours, sometimes at multiple jobs, she managed to raise three responsible adults who went on to marry and produce the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she treasured so much in later life. Audrey loved working and continued doing so until she was 81 years old, at which time she was a salesclerk at the West Towne Hallmark store. For much of her adult life, Audrey labored in the restaurant business. She was employed for many years at the Holiday Inn in South Beloit as a server, and later, as banquet sales manager. She also worked for a time at the Red Apple in Edgerton. The Holiday Inn is where she met her long-time husband, Clarence “Tommy” Tommerson, a concrete salesman for U.S. Steel. Tom played football for UW-Madison, and later played for the Pittsburgh Steelers alongside Byron “Whizzer” White, who went on to become an Associate Supreme Court Justice. The two were wed in September of 1979, and Tom and Audrey attended nearly every Super Bowl that took place during the years of their marriage. Tom passed away in January of 2000. Audrey was also an enthusiastic volunteer in the Madison community, giving her time and efforts to several local organizations, including the Madison Senior Center, Red Cross Blood Bank and Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM). She proudly received a community service award from the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups in 2011. She was also an active member of the Middleton Community Church and treasured the friends and fellowship she found there. Audrey loved traveling and enjoyed many adventures with some of her daughter’s tour groups. She made it to the top of Machu Picchu and walked on China’s Great Wall, both while in her 70s. She realized a life-long dream when she was able to visit the “music city” of Vienna during a Danube river cruise several years ago. Audrey is survived by her sisters, Gloria (Sonny) Fourtounis of Beloit and Lucia Dominguez of Rockton, IL, and brother, Larry (Lynn) Spooner of Arizona; children, Kathy Brinkman of Madison, Kenny (Denise) Hopper of Beloit, and Bill Hopper of Arizona; grandchildren, Jenni (John) DeRose, Korry Hackett, Jaron (Carey) Combs, Malinda (Kris) Mitchell, Melisa (Nathaniel) Vinke, Bekah (Brad) Dement, Justin Hopper, and Kyle (Emily) Hopper; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Tom, sisters Avis and Karen; son-in-law, Tim; and grandson, Jeremie. Audrey wanted to thank the following people: Dr. Frontiera and the exceptionally kind staff at the Dean Oncology clinic, SSM Hospice and Baraboo Hospice House staff, and the folks at Heartland Care Center in Black Earth. She also wanted to thank her dear friends, June and Nancy for their countless kindnesses during her illness and treatments. Services will be held at MIDDLETON COMMUNITY CHURCH, 645 Schewe Road, Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, with Pastor Jim Iliff officiating. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations in Audrey’s name may be gifted to Middleton Outreach Ministry are welcome. In honoring Audrey, her family would like to encourage every woman of every age to have regular mammograms, even when somebody says you’re “too old.” Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761