Stephen
A. Austin, 81Grand Rapids - Steven A. Austin, 81, died Saturday, November 6, 1999.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 10, which was the 224th anniversary of the Marine Corps of which he had been a member during World War II. Services were held at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids with Rev. Dan Croonquist officiating. Burial with military honors was in Itasca-Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids. The Rowe Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Stephen A. Austin was born in Janesville, WI, the son of George and Alice (McCollough) Austin. He graduated from high school in Rosholt, SD in 1935.
Steve was united in marriage to Hazel Arneson in 1935. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and received the Bronze Star in 1945. For several years he lived in Thief River Falls where he was a co-owner of Custom Motor garage and car dealership. He also worked for Triangle Bus Lines.
He was a past commander of Ecklund Holmstrom American Legion Post 117 in Thief River Falls.
In 1953 Steve started working for the State of Minnesota as a driver's license examiner. He moved to Grand Rapids in 1959 where he became the driver's license exam supervisor for the northern region of Minnesota until his retirement in 1983.
Steve was active in the Itasca YMCA, Grand Rapids High School sports and activities, and the Coffee Club at the Home Town Cafe.
He was a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post, Itasca Twirlers and Zion Lutheran Church.
Steve is survived by his wife, Hazel; four daughters, Karen (Allen) Gilbertson of Grand Rapids, Geri (David) Stout of Two Harbors, Jeanne Hartje of Afton and Kathy (Gary) Patten of Esko; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a cousin, Bill Bertelson of Fergus Falls. A00003B1999NV24