MAUDE AUSTIN

Austin, Maude Robena Nee Harper Appleton Maude (Harper) Austin, 94, formerly of Neenah, passed away on Sunday, July 11, at Theda Clark Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Maude was born on June 18, 1916 in Magnolia Township, Rock County, Wisconsin to Malcolm and Bernice Harper. She grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin, and after graduating from Janesville High School at the age of 16, she studied nursing at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Janesville. After graduating from Mercy as a Registered Nurse, she worked with Dr. Munn, a country doctor and surgeon, for three years. She then enrolled at the University of Wisconsin " Madison, where she studied Public Health. While in Madison she met Nyle Austin, and they were married on June 13, 1942. They moved to Milwaukee, where both had jobs related to the war effort. After the war, they moved to Neenah, Wisconsin, where they lived and raised their family. Maude was active with the First Presbyterian Church, AAUW, the Stage Frights, the Menasha Club, her bridge club, Theda Clark Auxiliary, and the Red Cross Blood Bank. She enjoyed playing piano, accompanied many young musicians at solo/ensemble, and played hymns for church visits to the nursing home. She worked as a nurse at Vallhaven Care Center for many years after her three children were grown. One of her greatest joys was spending time with family and friends at their cottage on Long Lake in Shawano County. Maude was always a fun person whom everyone enjoyed. Her positive outlook and sense of humor will be remembered and treasured. She was truly one of the worlds great ladies. Her children and grandchildren have been blessed in so many ways by her influence and example and have lots of Grandma Maude-isms to remember. She was preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in-law Lillian Austin, her husband Nyle, and her sisters Kay Darmer and Berniece Harper. She is survived by her children, son Gary Austin and his wife Bridget, Green Bay; her daughter Lynne Howarth and husband Donald, Allentown, NJ; her son Lee Austin, Providence, UT; grandchildren Lisa Wheeler and husband Steve, Chesapeake, VA; Scott Howarth and wife Kara, Somerville, NJ; and Emily Austin, Madison, WI; and great grandsons Austin and Ryan Wheeler, Chesapeake, VA. In addition, her brother-in-law Ken Darmer and wife Shirley, Albany, NY; and her nephews and their families; many dear friends from Neenah and the Heritage Assisted Living, Appleton. The family would like to thank the staff at the Heritage for the loving care that they gave Maude for many years; the staff at Theda Clark Hospital 5th Floor Central for they care of Maude and her family in her final days; her doctor for many years, Curtis Baltz, MD, Neenah; and the First Presbyterian Church in Neenah. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Presbyterian Church Chapel, Neenah. Friends may call at the chapel from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 200 Church Street, Neenah, WI 54956.