Clara Austin

Clara Austin, 94, of Colton slept away peacefully Thursday, April 16, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, April 20, 2009 at First Lutheran Church, Colton. Burial will be in the Minnehaha Cemetery, Colton. Visitation will be from 3-5:00 PM Sunday with a Prayer service at 4:00 PM all at the church.

Clara was born November 27, 1914 to parents Henry and Minnie (Johnke) Kock near Colton, South Dakota. She moved with her family to the Canistota area, where she attended school. Clara married Gordon Austin December 31, 1936 at First Lutheran Church in Colton. They lived and farmed east of Colton. Gordon died on January 3, 1976. In 1984 Clara moved into Colton.

She was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church, WELCA, and the First Lutheran Quilters, and was a chaperone for the Luther League, a member of the Bazaar Gift Card Committee, a founding member of the Thrifty Dozen Club, she also was a member of the Extension/Birthday Club and a Board Member of SE Human Resources and active in the Colton Senior Citizens.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Elvin (Kathy) Austin, Grand Haven, MI; Cherie (Loren) Nelson, St. George, UT; Eilene (William) Johnston, Bemidji, MN; Mary Sterud, Colton; Denny (Linda) Austin, Byron, MN; 18 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; two brothers, Vernon Kock and Loyd (Delores) Kock both of Sioux Falls and her favorite dog, O.D. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Melvin, Walt, Loren, and Donald “Pat” two sisters, Viola and Delores.