Maggie (Johnson) Austin (1853-1928)

JOHNSON, AUSTIN, FAST, HOKEL, GERDE, HOUGE, NELSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/26/2023 at 21:52:18

From The Slater News November 28, 1928 (page 4)

MRS. MAGGIE AUSTIN

Mrs. Maggie Austin was born at Stavanger, Norway, on the 10th day of June, 1853, where she grew to womanhood. At the age of 25 she came to America, taking up her residence at Watkins, Iowa. On February 28, 1887, she was united in marriage to Knute Austin. After a year's residence they moved to Sheldahl, where they lived happily together and reared a family. On September 14, 1902, death came to claim her husband, leaving her with a family of four children to raise. This she did with all motherly love and the Christian training with which she was blessed.

About nine years ago her health began to fail her and would no longer permit her to care for her daily household tasks. Since then she had divided the time among her children and other relatives, and it was while she was staying with a daughter in Des Moines that death unexpectedly claimed her as she was quietly sleeping, at an age of 75 years, 5 months and 13 days. Her loved ones are heartbroken over their sudden and great loss, a loss that time only can efface.

The many friends and former neighbors of Mrs. Austin will love to recall her as a devout Christian, a devoted mother and loving neighbor and friend. She was blessed with a cheerful disposition and always looked on the bright side of life--a trait that never deserted her, even when death claimed her life companion and left her with four fatherless children to provide for.

She is mourned by the children--Mrs. Carolyn Fast of Des Moines, Mrs. Marie Hokel of Belmond, Mrs. Nora Hokel of Alleman and Olaf Austin of Sheldahl. Also a stepdaughter, Mrs. Christie Gerde of Des Moines, and a stepson, A. K. Austin, of Watkins, Iowa. A sister and two brothers also survive her. They are Mrs. George Houge of Kelley, John Johnson of Radcliffe and Sam Nelson of Rock Island, Ill. Mourning her are also fourteen grandchildren and one great grandchild and many other relatives.