Dennis Funeral Homes

EARL LaVERNE "VERNE" AUSTIN, age 94 formerly of Waseca died Sunday, April 15, 2007 at the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.

Born in Mantorville, Minnesota on July 11, 1912, he was the son of Amos and Clara (Sanford) Austin. He grew up and graduated from Mantorville High School where he had been active in many sports.  Following his schooling, Verne worked as a meat cutter in Medford and Owatonna before moving to Waseca.  He married Irene Wobschall on October 19, 1941 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca.  He then worked at the Univ. of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station before joining Stuckey Drug Store where he worked for over 20 years.  He and Irene enjoyed traveling in their retirement, visiting many locations in the US as well as France, Germany and other European countries.  Verne also enjoyed fishing, traveling, camping, reading, square dancing, singing and doing church work.  He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca as well as the 29ers.  He was also a member of the LLL, Barbershoppers, and the Waseca County Horse Thieves Detective Society

He is survived by one son, Gary Austin of Rochester; three daughters, Aileen and John Bipes of Mankato, Janet and Lawrence Crosby of St. Paul, and Christine Austin-Roehler of Waconia; nine grandchildren, Steven (Roberta) Bipes, Robyn Bipes, Christy Bipes, Matthew (Consuelo) Crosby, Seth Crosby, Zachary Crosby, Anna Crosby, Leah Crosby, and Samuel Roehler; and one great granddaughter, Sedona Crosby.  He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Mary Austin of Albert Lea and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife-Irene, one brother-Edward Austin, and two sisters-Lucille Blanch and Dorcas Mertz.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 4-8 PM and continue on Thursday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Terry Quick officiating.  Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.