Audrey Ann (Scherling) Michalicek

Audrey Ann Michalicek, 84, passed away peacefully with her daughters surrounding her at Cornerstone Nursing and Rehab Center in Bagley, MN on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life service will be held at Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji, MN on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. All arrangements are being cared for by Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home.

Audrey was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on May 29, 1941, she was the daughter of William H. and Eleanor P. (Goodrich) Scherling. Audrey married Richard (Dick) Michalicek on June 3, 1961, and together they raised three children - Raschelle Nadeen, Richard Shawn, and Kristi Lynn. Audrey’s greatest desire was for her children to love Jesus and know Him personally as their Savior. 

Audrey will be remembered for her servant heart, gift of hospitality and her infectious laugh. Audrey’s gift of hospitality is remembered best when she hosted extended family and friends for holidays and special occasions. She loved to share her home and her skills in the kitchen.

Most of all, Audrey’s deep love for Jesus was seen in her study of scripture through Bible Study Fellowship and her fervent prayer life. Audrey’s ministry of intercessory prayer was known by many - she would often receive phone calls from friends and family requesting her to pray for a specific need or concern. Her children fondly recall her kneeling before her ‘prayer chair’ each morning, with her sweet request of “how can I pray for you today?” 

Audrey was a woman of faith. She trusted Jesus not only for salvation, but for the little things. She often said, “Let’s pray and ask Jesus to help us.” Audrey prayed about everything - large or small, from a request to find a close parking spot in a busy mall to asking God to “help recall to memory the things her children had studied for on a test.” She was even known to ask Jesus to start the old 1939 Buick that struggled to stay running. Audrey’s first response was to pray, and she modeled it to everyone around her. It was most precious when her children would ask her to pray. She was their prayer warrior, and she continued to be that warrior until Alzheimer’s took over.

Audrey worked throughout her married life. She sold Tupperware, Avon, and jewelry when her children were little and then joined the workforce serving as a secretary and as a para for school district 281. In their retirement years, Dick and Audrey volunteered for Wycliffe Associates, the support branch of Wycliffe for over 20 years. She used her gifts to plan and host activities for the WAs, sew for missionary children and run the used clothing boutique available to furloughed missionary families. 

Audrey is survived by her husband, Dick; her children Raschelle (Tom) Johnston, Rick (Angie) Michalicek, and Kristi (Ken) Jibben; her 7 grandchildren, Katie (Michael) Hunter, Jon (Andrea) Johnston, Josh (Libby) Johnston, Ellie (Tim) Huebner, Abbi (Matt) Meyer, Meghan and Shawn Michalicek and her 16 great-grandchildren: Grace, Micheal Jr, and Gabe Hunter; Jackson, Emmett and Addison Johnston; Vaughn, Lucy, Francie, Dolly and Goldie Johnston; Audrey and Jane Huebner; and Elliott, Oliver and Simon Meyer. She is also survived by her sister Jane (Daryle) McCannell, sister-in-law Delores Scherling and her in-laws, Jolaine (Rodney) Boreen, Marilyn (Nyle) Pasko, Harry (Kay) Michalicek and Ken (Jan) Michalicek and Carol Johnson and Peggy Gross step sisters-in-law. In addition, her many beloved nieces and nephews and their children.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents William Scherling and Eleanor (Goodrich) Scherling; her sister Evonne (Scherling) Wallin and brother-in-law Don Wallin, brother J. David Scherling, and sister Linda (Lee) and brother-in-law Elden Lee. Her father-in-law, Mike A Michalicek, mother-in-law, Opal (Sutton) Michalicek, and step-mother-in-law Irene (Johnson) Michalicek; and step brothers-in-law Clarence Johnson, Larry Johnson and his wife Joyce Johnson, and Walter Johnson.

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