MASON CITY Martha G. Austin, 83, of Mason City, died Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday (September 8, 2009) at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Ave., with Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa, Good Shepherd Health Center, or Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living.
Martha G. Austin was born June 25, 1926 in Mansfield, MN, the daughter of Benhard H. and Nellie C. (Bakke) Bendickson. Martha and her family moved to Mason City in 1936 and she attended Mason City Schools. She was married to Kenneth D. Austin on February 9, 1962 in Austin, MN. She was employed by GAF as a driver for many years until her retirement. Martha enjoyed fishing, gardening, flowers and especially spending time outdoors. She loved to play cards and the board game Wahoo, with her family or anyone who would play. Martha was a homemaker at heart; she took great pride in taking care of her family and home. She will be remembered for being a phenomenal cook and a talented crotchetier. Family was important to her and she loved having family gatherings, and she liked having them often. She was a past member of the V.F.W. and also the Eagles Club. Martha had a strong relationship with God, and she enjoyed attending Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a member.
She is survived by her children, Janice Lewis and husband Gary of Altoona, Iowa, Paul Austin and wife Peggy of Pekin, IL, Mike Austin and wife Liz of Mason City, JoAnn Jensen and husband Jeffery of Pekin, IL; sister, Doris Bradley of Mesa, AZ; ten grandchildren, Lynette (Rob) Dickerman, Jay (Olga) Lewis, Kelly (Gene) Williams, Tom Austin, Jennifer Creekmur, Katie (Ken)Vacek, Jeff (Jill) Austin, Eric (Paula) Jensen, Cory (Karrah) Jensen, and Megan Jensen; twenty-one great-grandchildren and one great great-granddaughter; brotherin-laws, Jerry Austin and Don Austin and sister-in-laws, Delores Bolster and Inez Bendickson
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth D. Austin in 1985; infant daughter, and four brothers.