Audrey Miles
January 03, 1934 - December 10, 2024
Obituary
Audrey J. Miles, age 90, of Cascade, IA left this earth to begin her heavenly journey on Tuesday December 10, 2024. A true family matriarch, she was surrounded with love by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, Wisconsin at 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 25, 2024. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville, at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.
On January 3, 1934, a daughter was born to Emmett Eugene and Bernice Ann (Bell) Medley in Platteville, Wisconsin. She would be named Audrey Jean. Audrey was united in marriage to Keith Miles on July 23, 1951, in Platteville. They moved to Seguin, Texas where Keith was stationed in the Air Force. Audrey learned many talents from her landlord in Seguin that would carry with her throughout her life. She taught Audrey to sew, including making full circle skirts out of unbleached muslin which they would then paint and add sequins to. She told Audrey “You can do anything if you think you can.” Audrey used this motto for the rest of her life.
Keith and Audrey were blessed with two children – a son, Kerry and a daughter, Barb.
In 1959, Keith and Audrey purchased a 22-acre farm in Platteville, Wisconsin and this is where the true legacy begins. Miles Stables was born. Audrey began to spearhead what would become an extremely successful horse business. Miles Stables specialized in American Saddlebred horses, promoting these horses as backyard, family pets with exquisite beauty and elegance. Audrey would say, “If you're going to have a horse, you might as well have a beautiful one. It costs the same to feed them!”
Audrey established a tremendous rapport within the American Saddlebred community. She sold horses across the entire North American continent, including Canada and Mexico. She became a household name in the equine world through hard work and dedication. Audrey loved the thrill of making a deal and making new connections. Many of these connections would go on to be life-long friends.
In her earlier years, Audrey worked for Virtue Photography using oil paints to add color to the then black and white photos. She also enjoyed gardening, refinishing furniture and freehand painting. Audrey went on to obtain her real estate broker's license and also sold insurance, adding to her vast repertoire of skills and accomplishments.
Audrey was an amazing, inspirational woman, always seeing the best in everyone. She was strong and courageous through life's ups and downs. She would always remind us, when forced with a challenge, “Grab the rope, tie a knot and hold on tight.”
Audrey was always up for a spur-of-the-moment adventure. She loved to travel both personally and professionally. Audrey would frequently hop in the car and drive long distances just to meet her clients. She loved meeting new people and would tell us, “Strangers are friends we haven't met yet.”
In October 2014, at the young age of 80, Audrey decided it was time to hang up the reins. Audrey and Keith began their retirement, sold the farm and moved to Cascade, IA to be closer to her daughter, Barb and grandchildren. Audrey loved her four grandchildren and ten great- grandchildren and was an avid spectator at all of their events. She was so proud of the family she created.
Audrey was preceded in death by her husband, Keith on December 29, 2019; her parents; her stepfather Donald Brandemeuhl; her mother and father in law, Harold and Mary Miles; brothers in law Richard Goke, Eugene Digman, John Miles and Roger Miles; sister in law, Beverly Miles and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Those left to cherish the memory of Audrey are her son, Kerry Miles; her daughter Barb (Joe) Gulick ; grandchildren, Shauna (Jason) Maro, Jesse (Traci) Clark, Amber (Rob Roussel) Cain, Jeremy (Ashley) Gulick; great-grandchildren Ryker, Hank, Madelyn, Wyatt, Caden, Jack, Odin, Carson, Keith, Violet; her brother Larry (Judy) Medley; and sisters in law Donna (Delbert) Pluemer, Janice Digman and Vicki Miles, all of Platteville, WI.
Mom, you are deeply loved and dearly missed. Time to grab the rope, tie a knot and hold on tight.
The family would like to thank Pinicon Senior Living and Above and Beyond Hospice Care for their care over our mother.