Mrs. Rebecca Austin, member of one of the earliest pioneer families in this community, passed away Sunday at the Phillips County hospital. She was 79 years of age and had been in failing health for some time. Mrs. Austin had lived in the Holyoke area for 72 years.

Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 p.m. yesterday at the Holyoke Baptist Church, with Rev. J. Hubert Wubben of the Methodist Church and C. E. Hamilton of the Baptist Church officiating. Interment was at Holyoke Memorial Park. Arrangements were in charge of the Lewis Funeral Home.

As Rebecca Elizabeth Ann Heller, a daughter of William and Virginia Heller, Mrs. Austin was born June 24, 1880, in York County, Nebraska. The family moved to Colorado in 1887, locating in the vicinity of what is now Holyoke, before the coming of the railroad and the laying out of the town. The family made three moves before settling on a homestead 12 miles northwest of Holyoke.

There Mrs. Austin grew to womanhood, experienceing the hardships of the times. At an early age she became a member of the Holyoke Baptist Church, and retained that membership all her life.

In January 1901, she was united in marriage to Frank Austin. They moved to his homestead in Sedgwick County, 16 miles northwest of Holyoke, where they made their home for 53 years. Mr. And Mrs. Austin were the parents of 12 children, 10 of whom survive.

Mr. Austin was a good farmer, and through hard work and foresight he and Mrs. Austin were able to retire comfortably in later years. They both enjoyed traveling. Purchasing a trailer house, they made several extended trip, visiting every state in the U. S. as well as parts of Canada, Mexico and Alaska.

Due to failing health, they were unable to remain at the home place after 1954, so made their home with their eldest daughter, Mrs. Maple Smith, in Holyoke. Mr. Austin passed away in September 1957. Mrs. Austin had suffered several severe illnesses during the past five years, but was always patient and hopeful, and very appreciative of family and friends. Since September 1, 1959, she had been hospitalized about two weeks in Denver, then at the Phillips County Hospital in Holyoke.

Surviving Mrs. Austin are three sons, Leo, Frank and Burl, all of Sedgwick county; seven daughters, Mrs. Maple Smith, Holyoke, Letha (Mrs. Vernon) Holmquist, Byers, Mrs. Vera Hoschauer, Fort Logan, Lila (Mrs. Gordon) Krist, Kremmling, Mrs. Ethel Bovee and Mrs. Minnie Stroup, Denver, and Alice (Mrs. Arthur) Ferguson, Holyoke; one brother, Roy Heller, Holyoke; two sisters, Mrs. Ethel Utesler, Holyoke, and Mrs. Clara Bailey, Englewood; 23 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives and many friends.

Preceding Mrs. Austin in death were her husband; two sisters, and two daughters, one who passed away in infancy and the other at the age of 9 years.

Holyoke Enterprise
November 5, 1959