Audrey May Pettinger, 90, died Friday, July 31 at English Oaks in Modesto.

She was born in Blue Earth, MN to Forest Ankeny and Pearl (Held) Ankeny. She was a resident of Dale Commons, Modesto for the last five years.

She graduated from Blue Earth High School and was crowned Miss Blue Earth in 1937. She married Donald Pettinger and lived in Blue Earth until l945. Later that year they moved to California because her husband was in the Navy stationed at Treasure Island. She and her family moved to Oakdale in l948. In 1962, she and her family relocated to Elmhurst, IL. In 1987, she moved back to Modesto where she remained the rest of her life.

Mrs. Pettinger worked as a secretary for Hitchcock Publishing-Amusement Park Operators of America in Chicago for more than 15 years.

She enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She loved playing card games, traveling the United States, Europe and cruising both the Caribbean and Mexico. She was interested in art, doing oil paintings of outdoor scenes.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Oakdale and sang in the choir for many years.

She is survived by her sons, Mike (Leslie) Pettinger of Oakdale, and Pete (Gayle) Pettinger of Spokane, WA; daughter, Dee Ann Pettinger of Spokane, WA; sister, Barbara Donnan of Milwaukee, WI; grandchildren, Tracy (Max) Martin of Spokane, WA, Todd (Anna) Tucker of Frederick, CO, Dan Pettinger of Coulterville, and Sandi Brown of Hotchkiss, CO; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Pettinger; and brother, Allen Ankeny.

A memorial service was held Thursday, Aug. 6 at the Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356; or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org in memory of Audrey Pettinger c/o Michael Pettinger, 1919 Maiden Lane, Oakdale, CA 95361.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Aug. 12, 2009