Marijo Arden Austin

Marijo Arden Austin passed away September 3, 2026, in Fort Collins, just short of her 97th birthday. Her last week of life was a beautiful time of love expressed to and from her three children and their spouses and her grandchildren with storytelling, hymns and prayers.

Throughout her life, Marijo had a simple faith in God. She seemed to have a well spring of care and interest in others -- whether family, friends or acquaintances. She asked about their lives and wrote them encouraging notes and cards even throughout her last years. She was a devoted wife and mother, who brought a lot of joy and tenderness into her family. She had a keen listening ear.

A former English teacher, she had a life-long love of reading and penmanship. She naturally moved fast, was a competitive swimmer in her younger years, and could still swim a mile when she was 70.

Marijo had a difficult early life. She was born on September 25, 1929, in Auburn, Nebraska, right on the eve of The Great Depression. When she was a baby, her mother Grace and birth father left Nebraska for San Benito, Texas. His family had left their farm homes in Nebraska seeking more opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley. It was a false hope.

Her parents became desperately poor with no work and survived on a diet of mostly potatoes.

Her parents' marriage did not last. Marijo and her mother Grace Lutgen returned to Auburn, Nebraska where Grace’s father, a surgeon, ran a small, rural hospital. As a girl she did chores and played games with the patients. Her mom became adept at anesthesia and x-rays. She remembered that her grandfather took her to church every Sunday and to lunch afterward.

In her teen years, she and her mother moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Her mom, Grace, married J.W. Weaver, a WW II veteran. He would become a wonderful grandfather to Marijo’s children.

Marijo followed after her mother by becoming a competitive swimmer. In one meet, she made headlines by placing first in four out of five events. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947, then went on to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. In 1951, she graduated with a B.S. in Education and soon after was issued a teacher’s certificate.

A close friend introduced Marijo to Jim Austin who was starting his career in Lincoln. They clicked immediately and enjoyed dancing. They married June 10, 1951, a loving marriage that lasted 71 years.

When Jim got a job opportunity with the Colorado Rancher and Farmer magazine in Denver, the young couple moved. Marijo thrived as an elementary school teacher. They were able to purchase a small home in southeast Denver. In the 1950s, three children were born: Sally, Tom and Bob.

It was the quintessential post-World War II baby boomer neighborhood. Marijo made friends easy, especially with Myrna Denholm who became her best friend through the decades, even “adopting” each other's children.

She embodied hospitality. She had a passion for creating a warm and inviting home. Bridge parties, holidays and backyard gatherings of family and friends were favorite activities.

Marijo and Jim were active members of Park Hill Methodist and Hope Methodist churches in Denver, and more recently Heart of the Rockies in Fort Collins. They naturally grew their faith and community wherever they lived.

They enjoyed many travels in their retirement to Alaska, Germany, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean. They easily made friends and stayed in contact over the years.

They became grandparents of seven! She taught some to swim, rode bikes and played many games.

Those chose to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with all 14 family members in Duck, NC. The week was spent in a beautiful home on the beach. Grandma took great pleasure swimming and riding the waves with her grandchildren. You could even say it was a little bit of heaven on earth.

In 2007, they moved to Fort Collins to be closer to family, and where they again made more new friends. They frequently trekked up the hill at the local park to enjoy the view of Rocky Mountain National Park and rode bikes on the nearby trails.

Following Jim’s passing, Marijo was delighted in visits from her children, grandchildren, and many longtime friends. She also became a great grandma of one girl and two boys.

She is survived by her daughter Sally Leigh (Bruce) of High Point, NC; sons Tom Austin (Lori) and Bob Austin (Kathy), both of Fort Collins; and seven grandchildren: Ben, Eric, Amy, Nathan, Tyler, Abbey (Evan) and Erin (Freddie); and three great-grandchildren: Sophia (daughter of Erin and Freddie); Luca Austin (son of Nathan and Melanie) and Gerhard Austin (son of Ben and Mariia); and a half sister, Mona Durham.

A Memorial Service will be held at Heart of the Rockies Christian Church, 6501 Brittany St, Ft. Collins, CO 80525, on September 9, 2026, at 10:30 am.