Katherine Austinson

It is with great sadness the family of Kay Austinson announce her passing on Saturday, October 30, 2020. Mom just celebrated her 95th birthday. Kay (Tina) Neufeld was both October 2, 1925, to Ann and Bernard Neufeld. Mom was the second eldest child and eldest daughter of eight children. Mom grew up in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Mom met the love of her life, Martin Carl Austinson, at a dance in Brandon, Manitoba. Mom was working at the hospital and Dad was stationed with the army. Dad told his friend when he first spotted mom, "that is the woman, I am going to marry!" They married in Wpg on November 2, 1946. Moving to his home area of South Junction, Manitoba. They welcomed four children, Dwayne, Barry, Karen and Marilyn. In about 1956, they packed up the children and belongings and headed out to Edson Alberta. Mom worked at the hospital, once I was in school full time. Then in 1966 Dad decided it was time to move again and all was packed into the half ton truck and car and off we headed east. We landed in Kenora in the fall of 1966. Dad found work with Edwards Construction and mom cleaned rooms at the Tower Motel, for a few years. They enjoyed living in Norman and made many friends over the years. Then in 1980 Dad decided it was time to move back to his roots, so they moved back to South Junction, where they lived till Daddy died in 1999. Mom then moved back to Kenora and back into Norman. They had a wonderful, loving friendship and marriage that lasted for fifty two years.

Mom worked at many jobs in her life, mostly taking care of others and cleaning up after them. She often said, "Just because one is poor, is no reason to be dirty". Until very recently, she still baked her own bread, from scratch...no bread machine. Mom was a fantastic cook, baker and canner. She grew up during hard times and learned to save everything. She had a container in her freezer that if only a spoonful of something was left it did not get thrown out...no it went into that container, for soups or stocks...nothing was wasted, that included the vegetables cooking water. That is why she always made fantastic soups. She created many recipes in her lifetime trying to make do with the merger rations in her cupboards. Mom loved her family with all her heart...she did without many times, so we could have what we needed. Life was never easy for her. Above all, she loved God. Mom was a faithful Christian all her life, instilling her values to her children growing up.

Mom loved to read and she was a very avid reader, as children she read to us, as a family we sat and listened. Her voice carried us to places far away, just like she had done with her siblings as they grew up. Mom loved watching nature shows, she loved learning about places and the people that lived there. Mom was a very quiet and shy person and so spent a lot of time alone and reading.

Mom was an active member of Bethesda Lutheran since being baptized in 1980, when she rededicated her life to God. Mom's faith was everything to her and she raised her family knowing the Lord. Mom started and ended each day with her devotionals and Bible reading and praying for her family, friends and those in need. Mom has now joined all her loved ones and is in the arms of her a Lord God.

THE HANDS OF LOVE

I close my eyes and I am back in time…

To a place of love.

I feel the warm, gentle, caressing hands upon my head,

As she gently strokes my hair.

I hear her voice soft and soothing.

I listen to the words that become magic

As they transport me into the story;

I become an observer in another life.

Her pure voice was meant for reading to children.

This is a gift not all possess.

I thank God for her love of reading,

And her mastery of the written word.

She planted a seed in my heart and a thirst in my soul for knowledge.

I want to be able to pass this gift of words on to others.

I drift to another time.

I see in minds eye a dress… A dress was sewn for me with love.

A little dress with strawberries all over it and a little Peter Pan Collar.

I felt like a princess in this dress…made from sugar bags;

It was the “sweetest thing.”

Those hands that enfold me in her arms and close to her heart…

Are the same hands that worked and toiled scrubbing toilets and floors;

The same hands baked and cooked,

And yes, even spanked a naughty child.

These precious hands God placed on a woman,

That I am privileged to call my Mom.

These hands are the hands that now cause her pain.

Still these hands reach out with warmth and love;

Drawing close all those she loves.

I know that she doesn’t see herself as talented or beautiful;

For there is no vanity in my mother.

All she did and does come as easy to her as breathing,

Because she loved her family.

Hers are the hands of love.

Marilyn Kay Austinson-Allanson 2002

Mom will be laid to rest beside her beloved Martin and her Austinson family in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in a Wumpum, Manitoba.

She leaves to mourn her passing her sisters Grace Jorgensen of Kenora and Annie Bergen of Morden, Manitoba and sister in law Marg Neufeld of Kenora and her sister in law Carolyn Beaudry of Winnipeg. She leaves her four children Dwayne and Phylis Austinson of Kenora; Barry and Donna Austinson of Kamloops. B.C.; Karen and Duncan King of Calgary, Alberta; and Marilyn and Bill Allanson of Kenora.

Grandchildren Christopher and Mia Austinson, Dean and Monique Austinson, Dale and Stacey Austinson, Corol and Jeff Dyck, Colin and Ana Austinson, Trent King and Jeanette Verbik , John and Tammy King, Ryan and Sasha Allanson, Shawn Allanson and Cristella Blanchet. Her great grandchildren Katie and Andrew Lai, Chance Austinson, Jordan and Jacob Austinson, Matthew and Marcus Dyck, Bella, Zane and Zander Austinson, Harrison and Christopher Blanchet, Ciara, Austin and Kaylee King... and great -great grandson Austin Lai. Little Miss Pebbles who Grandma adored, her grand fur baby, will miss her very much.

Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Martin in 1999. She was predeceased by her parents Anne and Bernard Neufeld, by her in laws Tilda and Adolf Austinson. She was also predeceased by brothers Jake Neufeld and sister in law Jean, Bernard Neufeld, John Neufeld and sister in law Jean, Clarence Neufeld and her sister Irene Sawatzky and brother in laws Wally Sawatzky and George Jorgensen, nephews Danny Jorgensen and Randy Sawatzky, nieces, Joy Furman, Darlene, Brenda and Kim Bergen. She also was predeceased by her Austinson family, brothers in laws Harry, Melvin, Rudy, Albert and Helmer Austinson, Maurice Beaudry and sister in law Alida Komplein and husband Gordan Komplein, sister in law Emma Rosella and husband Alex, Anne Smetana and husband Eddie and sister in law Delima Dubois. Also nephews, Palmer and Arnold Austinson.

Our deepest gratitude go to the nurses at our Lake of the Woods Hospital. The nurses on third floor and then second floor palliative care, are a remarkable group of people. Mom was treated with tenderness, compassion, empathy and respect. Knowing your loved one is being treated this way, eases the pain in our hearts...due to the kindness in their hearts. Forever grateful to nurses. Thank you also for listening as we rambled on about the remarkable woman our mother was, to us. To the paramedics who were so gentle with mom, those in emergency who treated and cared for her and those who flew her to Thunder Bay. To the surgeons and doctors that did everything possible for our mother, our deepest heartfelt thank you. A thank you also to those angels that quilt the lovely works of art and love, that kept our mother warm in a cold hard place. From the family of Kay Austinson we thank you all. Thank you Judy Day Janz and Cathy Girioux for your spiritual support and compassion.

Due to Covid funeral services will be limited.

Mom gave to many charities in her lifetime..., any charity of your choice would be an honour.

Honorary Pallbearers are her grandchildren Christopher, Dale Colin and Dean Austinson, Trent and John King, Corol Dyck, and Shawn and Ryan Allanson

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.