LA CRESCENT, Minn. – Janet Mae Austin, age 89, of La Crescent, passed away April 14, 2023 peacefully at her home in La Crescent.

Jan was born on August 29, 1933 in Iowa, to Earl and Manchile Grabau.  On June 21, 1957, she married H. Stanley Austin at the Methodist Church in Cresco, Iowa.

Jan was a graduate of Hamline University, majoring in elementary education, and taught for a total of six years in suburbs of the Twin Cities.  She was Stan’s assistant in his dental practice for 15 years. After that, she worked as a florist, a retail manager, and at the La Crescent Public Library.

Jan enjoyed outdoor activities, gardening, reading, and several canoe trips to the Boundary Waters.  She also had two memorable vacations with Stan to Hawaii.

Pets were a great pleasure to her, especially during the period of time when she raised and bred German shepherds. Pets were always in her house until the week before her death, when her cat Spookie passed away.

Jan is survived by three daughters, Teri (Mike) Lehrke, of La Crosse; Pamela (Michael) Cullen of Ridgefield, Washington; and Connie (Doug) Gaustad of Brownsville, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Jenna (Nate) Fritsch, Nicole (Nathan) Asche, Sara Lehrke, Austin (Jillian) Cullen, Chase Cullen and Owen Gaustad; and four great granddaughters, Violet, Alice, Amelia and Ellie.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, sister, brother and parents.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Undeland and the staff of the Gundersen Hospice Program for the care and concern they provided.

At Jan’s request, her body will be cremated and there will be no service or visitation.  Her immediate family will have a private celebration of life event at a later date.