AUSTIN: The death of Viola Gertrude Austin, widow of the late Ernest Charles Austin, beloved mother of Linda Adams, Larry, Allan and Barry, occurred at her residence, Valleyview Care Centre on Friday, March 7, 2008. Announcement of funeral ceremony and interment will follow at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel and Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.


AUSTIN: Viola Gertrude Austin. February 11, 1920 - March 7, 2008. With great sadness the family of Viola Austin would like to announce her peaceful passing, in the early morning of Friday, March 7, 2008. She turned 88 years old on February 11, 2008. Mom was born in Grandview, Manitoba in 1920. She went to Morranville School, along with her brothers. The family moved to Minto (where they farmed) in 1930. Mom received the rest of her education at Minto School. After school was completed she worked on neighboring farms. Viola and Ernie Austin were married in 1942. They lived in two rooms above Shreiners' Store. Mom and dad ran the King Edward Hotel (formerly owned by the Austin's) for one year in 1945. In 1949, the family moved to Gladstone where dad worked for the Manitoba Power Commission and mom was a stay at home mom. They lived in Gladstone for seven years, Portage La Prairie for seven years and then moved to Brandon. Mom worked at Fairview Home for almost twelve years as Food and Kitchen Supervisor, then as Dietician. She enjoyed her work very much. Throughout her life, mom had many talents and interests: gardening, her flowers, sewing clothes for her children and friends. Mom was a gifted baker. Mom and dad bowled in Plumas, curled in Gladstone and in her younger years she played baseball. She belonged to the United Church Women's groups in Gladstone and Portage La Prairie and to the Royal Purple. But, mom's greatest enjoyment was the times of camping in the trailer court at Delta Beach, Williams Lake and the years dad and her lived out at the cottage at Pelican Lake when they retired. She was predeceased by her parents: Florence and Allan McKinnon; brother Bruce, Gordon, Lavern, and Allie; sister Rita; brothers-in-law Jack Ewen and Arthur Meadows; sisters-in-law Anne and Pat McKinnon. Viola is survived by her daughter Linda (Perry) Adams; sons Larry (Bonnie) Austin, Allen (Pat) Austin and Barry Austin; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother Harold (Bev); sister Shirley Meadows; sisters-in-law Edith, Barb and Joan McKinnon nieces, nephews, and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Arlene Robertson of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Donations in memory of Viola may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba, 105, 500 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3X1. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.