Obituary Details

Donna Marie Austin

(09/18/1933 - 01/22/1954)
Courtesy of Lusk Free Lance, 01/28/1954

Miss Donna M. Austin Succumbs to Illness Friday Morning; Last Rites Held at St. Leo's Church, January 26

The untimely death of Miss Donna Marie Austin, youngest daughter to Mr. and Mrs. D. Harry Austin of Lusk Wy., came as a great shock to her many friends and family when she passed away at 7:05 Friday morning, January 22nd, 1954 at the Spencer hospital. She had attained the age of 20 years, 4 months and 4 days.

Miss Austin had been in poor health for the past five years, and on several occasions it had been necessary for her to receive blood transfusions. She entered the Spencer hospital and on January 18th submitted to surgery, and responded to treatment until Wednesday afternoon when her condition took a turn for the worse and continued on the declining side until her demise.

Rosary services were held at 7:30 o'clock Monday evening in the chapel of the Peet Funeral home. Father M. J. McBrien conducted the rosary service and also officiated at the requiem high mass at ten o'clock Tuesday morning in St. Leo's church. Alter boys were Freddie Guibault and Jerry McFarlane. St. Leo's choir provided the music for the service.

Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery with Albert Oates, Martin McFarlane, Jack McMaster, Jim Wasserburger, Ralph Wasserburger and Henry Wasserburger Jr. bearing the remains to their final resting place.

The deceased is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Henry Austin of this city. Two sisters Mrs Bruce "Bud" Koch, Washington D.C. and Mrs. Lester Lawrence of Hawthorne, Calf. One nephew and two nieces.

Out-of-town relatives here for the last rites were Mr. and Mrs. Roy Senters, Mr. and Mrs. Zeno Reing of Denver Co., Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Conlogue, Tommy Davies, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Davies of Douglas Wy., Mrs. Bruce Koch of Washington D.C. and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lawrence and children, Leslie Louise, Donald and Dorothy of Hawthorne Calf.

A complete obituary was not available as we go to press but will be carried in next week's issue of the Free Lance.

The Lusk Herald
January 28, 1954
Donna Austin Dies in Lusk Friday

Miss Donna Marie Austin, 20, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Austin of Lusk, died at the Spencer Hospital Friday morning, Jan. 22.

The young lady had suffered from a kidney affliction for a number of years, but was bright and cheerful and a favorite with the younger set. She graduated from the Lusk High School with the class of '51 and then attended Chadron State Teachers College for a year. Since that time she kept books for the American Legion Club and at the time of her death was employed at the Coast-to-Coast Store.

Rosary services were held at the Peet Chapel Monday evening by the Rev. Father M. J. McBrien who also conducted the funeral service held from St. Leo's Catholic Church Tuesday morning at 10:00 o'clock.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Austin, two sisters, Mrs. Lester Lawrence of Hawthorne, Calif., and Mrs. Bruce Koch of Washington, D.C. Victor Senters and Mrs. Harry McGinnis, both of Lusk, are uncle and aunt of the young lady.

Interment was in the Lusk Cemetery and the young men bearing the remains to its last resting place were Albert Oates, Martin McFarlane, Jack McMaster, Jim Wasserburger, Ralph Wasserburger and Henry Wasserburger, Jr.

Out-of-town relatives and friends here for the services include Mr. and Mrs. Lester Lawrence and children, Leslie Louise, Donald and Dorothy of Hawthorne, Calif., Mrs. Bruce Koch, Washington, D. C., Mr. and Mrs. Roy Senters and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Conlogue, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Davies, Tommy Davies of Douglas.

The Lusk Herald
February 11, 1954
Obituary

Donna Marie Austin was born Sept. 18, 1933 at Lusk, Niobrara County, Wyo., the youngest daughter of Donald H. and Edna Vivian Austin. When approximately two weeks old she was baptized in the Roman Catholic faith by Father Othmar Miller of St. Leo's Catholic Church.

Donna was the first baby baptized by Father Miller in Niobrara County, and a close friendship developed between them, which lasted all her life. She received her education in the Lusk public schools graduating with the class of 1951. She attended Chadron State Teachers College at Chadron, Nebr. one year and because of poor health was unable to continue her studies.

She was a popular member of the younger set and because of her cheery smile and friendly greeting to all she knew, and her consideration of others' feelings, was highly thought of by young and old alike. For several years Donna suffered from sub-acute Bright's disease and anemia, the latter requiring frequent blood transfusions. She entered the hospital Jan. 3 and died Jan 22 at the age of 20 years, 4 months and 4 days.

Her plans for her forthcoming marriage, were cut short by her untimely death.

A Requiem High Mass was offered by Father McBrien at St. Leo's Catholic Church Jan. 26. Interment was made in the Lusk Cemetery.

She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald H. Austin of Lusk, two sisters, Mrs. Bruce H. Koch of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Lester W. Lawrence of Hawthorne, Calif., her fiancé Jim Watkins of Carthage, Miss. two nieces and one nephew, Leslie Lousie, Dorothy and Donnie Lawrence of Hawthorne, Calif., numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and a host of friends.

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