- Born April 7, 1912 in Concord Township, Dodge, Minnesota
- Married George Joseph Austin March 7, 1936- Has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren
- She was an artist but never pursued her talents
- Died March 9, 1999 in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw, Michigan
I came into the family prior to her death, but unfortunately did not have the chance to meet her. I was able to meet a lot of the family at her funeral. She was much loved by her children and grandchildren.
In 1931, Grandma received a scholarship to the University of Michigan for her artistic abilities. Not only did she have talent as an artist, but she wrote poetry as well.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we do not have any poetry written by her because she didn't keep any that we are aware of.
She never got a license to operate a car, she was always afraid to drive something that large. She once told me that when she was learning she almost hit the family house and lost her nerve.
She loved to talk bout her childhood, but never shared any pictures. As a result, we do not know who the people are in any family photos.
Her father mailed her at least once a week and always sent her a dollar. She kept every letter with the dollar still in them. This started a long tradition for Grandma of giving her grandchildren a dollar every time she saw them.
Grandma was quite, reserved and very kind lady. She loved to play games, cards and bingo in particular. When we were children she always played all kind of games with us and she would always make sure she never won. Once my sister Pattie said "Grandma you cheated", but we all knew she cheated to lose. One thing I remember is my Grandparents where always there for holidays, birthdays, band and dance recitals, and we counted on them. I remember them very fondly.
ReplyDeleteMy sister Vickie and I once took my grandparents out for a picnic. We brought frozen hotdogs and planned to grill them. We didn't know what we were doing, when it came to grilling, and put the hotdogs on to cook in the open flame instead of waiting for the fire to die down. As a result the hotdogs were burnt on the outside and still frozen on the inside. Grandma ate every bit of her hotdog and said it was good. She never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings.
ReplyDeleteOur childhood home had a train track that ran behind and curved beside it. I remember that there were hobos that rode the trains that would stop by our house. My mother would always feed them and they would repay her kindness by doing work in the yard. She never refused any of them food. She said "You never know which one might be Jesus."
ReplyDeleteMother insisted on her children having piano lessons and she made sure we got to each lesson.
She was always at home when we were little even when we were at school she never left.
She has 4 Great-great grandchildren
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