Barbara J. (Brown) Austin, 85, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2020, at the Harbors Senior Living Community in Fridley, Minn.
The daughter of Glenn and Gladys (Hamblin) Brown, Barb was born in Grundy Center, Iowa, and raised on her family’s farm with her sister Karen. She was active in those early years in the Methodist Church, 4-H, showing cattle at the Iowa State Fair and playing in the band. She graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1954, and Iowa State University with a degree in Home Economics Education in 1958. She started her teaching career at Canton High School in 1958. On July 10, 1963, she was united in marriage with Carrol S. Austin in Grundy Center, Iowa. They built a home in Mabel, Minn., and raised their son Douglas. Barb taught at Mabel-Canton Schools for 27 years and for a short time she owned her own business, Mabel Fabrics.
Barb loved teaching and working with students throughout her teaching career. In 1991, she was named Master Advisor for Future Homemakers of America in Washington, D.C. Over her career, she had several students that served as officers at the district and state level. She was a member of the Methodist Church, loved doing cross stitch, reading and enjoyed putting up her Christmas villages with her grandchildren.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Gladys, husband Carrol, and sister Karen Eslinger. She is survived by her son Douglas (Christine) and two grandchildren, Lauren and Reid; three nephews: Curtis (Carol) Eslinger, Brian (Lisa) Eslinger and Shawn McLagan; brother-in-law Larry (Sharyn) Eslinger and sister-in-law Wanda (Larry) McLagan.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later time.
Debbie Landin-Cooper says
We were saddened to hear the loss of your mom, Doug. Many happy memories of your parents and mine….playing Euchre, traveling to AZ along with Machas to buy land, Sunday drives, and fishing/picnics. Your mom was kind, fun-loving, and so easy to talk to! She has a very special place in my heart! Our condolences to you and your family.
Wendy Engen Hauser says
Barb was a great teacher! I had her for home economics 7 & 8 grade. 1970-71, she seemed to enjoy teaching and spending time with all us. She left an impression on me! I love to cook and sew!
Ruby Oian says
Barbara Austin was known to many of us at Canton High School by “Miss Brown”. I had so much respect and admiration for her as a teacher and as a person. She was even tempered and was a great teacher. How she managed to keep her cool with a room full of young sewers and cooks was admirable. I do not remenber her being angry or discouraging to us in any way. I have used the sewing knowlege she passed on to me in my life and business for many years.. Her way of teaching time management to our cooking classes by having us plan our shopping, cooking, eating and clean-up times to fit into our one hour class times has been a technique I have used throughout life in various tasks and time allowances. She honored me by asking me to sing at her wedding. Along with my parents, my now husband, Chuck, and Mrs. Dorothy Anderson, who was the accompanist, we drove to Grundy Center and enjoyed the wedding festivities and met her lovely family. Barbara’s memory will live on in my heart and the hearts of many of our classmates who were blessed to have her in our young lives. My deepest sympathy to her family.