Audrey Regina Kates, 93 of Carlinville, IL, passed away Friday, April 5, 2024, at Carlinville Rehab and Health Care in Carlinville, IL.

Audrey was born June 7, 1930, in Carlinville, IL, a daughter of Charles and Genevieve (Schaefer) Rhodes. Audrey graduated from Gillespie High with the class of 1948. After high school she married Herman T. Rugel, and he passed away in August of 1967. On October 14, 1970, she married Robert W. Kates in Carlinville, he survives.

She loved creating ceramic works of art and especially at Christmas, of which Christmas trees were her specialty.

Audrey enjoyed playing cards with her friends and was a part of the hand and foot card club for many years. Audrey's work career was both as a bookkeeper and secretary for F and M Bank for several years. She would then put that knowledge to great use at the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce. Counting numbers and counting cards were similar skills she excelled in, which led her to flourish in both her work and in winning hands with her friends.

Audrey loved her religion and church dearly. She was a loyal and proud member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, where she was involved in the Catholic Daughters and Forever Friends. But even before her faith lay her family, whom she cherished with all her heart, from her children to her great-great grandchildren, from her siblings, here and passed to her plentiful nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, 1st husband, Herman T. Rugel; daughter, Karen Rosentreter; sister, Kathleen Harms; brothers: Emmitt, Dale, and Wayne Rhodes; and granddaughter, Andrea Sonneborn.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 9:30-11:00 am at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville, IL, with Fr. Leon Martin officiating.

Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, Carlinville, IL.

Audrey is survived by her husband, Robert W. Kates of Carlinville, IL, son, Gary A. (Dena Marie) Rugel of Scottsdale, AZ, daughter, Sandy Trump (John Kahl) of Carlinville, IL, brother, Loren (Rosemarie) Rhodes of Carlinville, IL, 4 grandchildren; Jenni McDowell, Kate (Brett) Coleman, Kelli Trump, Matt (Stephanie) Rosentreter, 6 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.