Elsie Jean (Miller) Austin, of Duluth, died peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, at her home.
She was born Aug. 24, 1916, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Hugh and Annette (Andrews) Miller. She lived in Sioux City, Iowa; Huron, S.D.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Wichita, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; La Crosse, Wis.; Rochester; Oak Park, Ill., and moved to Duluth in 1970. Elsie Jean often said she never lived any place she did not like. She married Hubert W. Austin on June 16, 1945, and Hubert died Dec. 20, 1948. Her parents died in 1979.
Elsie Jean served as director of Christian education and commissioned worker in Congregational United Churches of Christ for more than 30 years. While at the Oak Park Church, she was instrumental in setting up a Christian education program for children with learning difficulties. The program was recognized in Christian education literature and well received.
Elsie Jean is survived by cousins, Stephanie and Larry Moeller of Manhattan, Kan.; Marilyn Cain of Omaha, Neb.; special friends, Elizabeth A. Niemi and Eugene Wittenberg of Duluth, Sheryl and John Homan of Cloquet and Mark and Margo Dickinson of St. Paul.
No public services will be held. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato.
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Memorials are appreciated and may be given to: the Hugh and Annette Miller Endowment for Medical Research and Education, Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905 or the donor’s choice.
Arrangements by the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.
www.doughertyfuneralhomeduluth.com
