Obituary: Irene Austin

Irene (Skaar) Austin, 90, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2019, at Willows of Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, Minn.

Irene was born to Inga (Gunvaldson) and Hans Skaar at the Skaar family farm near New Rockford, N.D. on March 21, 1929. She graduated from New Rockford High School in 1947. She married her loving husband, Wayne Austin, at Grandfield Lutheran Church in New Rockford on July 27, 1948.

Irene was her happiest when she spent her summers at the lake house, watching the loons, gardening and enjoying time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Tollef; her twin sister, Ina; her daughters Paula Hoffman and Kristine Ann; and her husband, Wayne.

Irene is survived by her sister, Inez Pendergrast, her son Roland (Cindy), her son Dennis (Pat), and her daughter Inez (Craig). Irene was a loving grandmother to 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

A funeral is planned for this July with a celebration of life to follow at her daughter Inez's lake home.