Audra Elizabeth Brownell, age 17, of Sparta, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 17, 2010, following accidental injuries in Colorado while on a backpacking trip with her youth group from Rockford Reformed Church.  Audra was an excellent student with a 4.0 plus GPA and was looking forward to her senior year at Cedar Springs High School where she played flute in the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble.  She loved outdoor sports, palm trees, climbing sand dunes, and swimming with her dog Chloe.  She was very active in her church youth group and went on many mission trips including a trip to Guatemala in 2009.   Although a quiet person, Audra had a beautiful smile that spoke volumes and a special quality about her that highlighted her kindness and love for the Lord, her family, and others.   She was a precious gift to her loving parents, Scott and Diane (Ekdom) Brownell of Sparta; her sisters, Danae and Elena; grandparents, Mrs. Karlene Brownell of Greenville, and John and Elaine Ekdom of Fremont; her aunts and uncles, Donna Fopma, Laurie and Steve Jackson, Kristy and Jeff Bennett; her cousins, Dylan, Lydia, Kyle and Joey; and classmates and friends.  She was preceded in death by her grandfather Rob Brownell in May of 2000.  The service celebrating Audra’s life will be held on Thursday afternoon at 1:00 at Our Lady of Consolation Church, 4865 – 11 Mile Road, Rockford with Pastor Rick Tigchon and Aaron Van Manen of Rockford Reformed Church, and Rev. Gary Van Koevering officiating.  Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Cedar Springs.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Paradise Bound Open Doors Orphanage in Guatemala, PO Box 156, Hamilton, MI  49419.  Family and friends may greet Audra’s family from 4:00 to 8:00 on Tuesday and 4:00 to 8:00 on Wednesday at Rockford Reformed Church Family Life Center, 4890 -11 Mile Rd., Rockford  49341.
Arrangements by The Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com