Audrey E. Gorny

Audrey E. Gorny, age 82, of Winona, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the Gundersen Health System Hospital in La Crosse, WI.

She was born on September 26, 1941, in Hastings, MN, to Arnold and Grace (Johnson) Pinke, and was a graduate of Hastings High School.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Winona State University, and her master’s degree in education at the University of Minnesota.

While a student at Winona State, Audrey waitressed at Sammy’s Pizza, and it was there that she met her future husband, Gene Gorny. They were married on January 11, 1964, at St. Casimir’s Church in Winona, and would have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary in just a couple of weeks.

Along with being a devoted wife, mom, and homemaker, Audrey was a dedicated educator for over 34 years, who saw teaching as not a job, but as a calling and vocation.  She began teaching at the Pickwick School, and after the rural schools consolidated, she moved to Madison Elementary School where she taught second and third grades until her retirement.  She loved reading and enjoyed working with young authors at writing seminars.

She was a member of the Winona County Historical Society where she was active in helping with the annual cemetery walk, and she was the book chat moderator at the history center for over 10 years. She was also a member of the Winona Retired Educators Association, serving as its treasurer for several years. 

Audrey is lovingly survived by her husband, Gene; their children: Susan (Marty) Salseg and Jean Hoffmaster; siblings: Mavis (Bill) Bingaman and Dave (Nancy) Pinke; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and twin brothers, Ronald and Donald Pinke.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM until the funeral service at 11:30 AM on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona.  The Very Reverend Mark C. McNea will officiate.  Following the service, a luncheon and reception will be held at the funeral home.

Audrey will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in a family ceremony at a later date.

The family respectfully asks that memorials be directed to the Winona County Historical Society, or to the Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Audrey’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.