Aylce Austad

Alyce Marie Austad, age 82, of 10434 Ackley St. (P.O. Box 11) Rapid River, died unexpectedly Tuesday, January 20th, 2004 at the St. Francis Hospital Emergency Room in Escanaba.
Alyce was born November 4th, 1921 in Rapid River at the family home to Per Leonard and Eva (Johnson) Holmgren who were Swedish immigrants to Delta County.

She was raised in Rapid River and was a 1939 valedictorian graduate of the Rapid River High School and she later attended the Cloverland Commercial College in Escanaba. In addition to taking care of her mother, Alyce worked for the Michigan Employment Service and was employed by that agency from 1942 until 1960, when she began working for UPCAP. She retired from UPCAP in 1993.

Alyce married Glen A. Austad December 26th, 1953 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary

Having been a faithful member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, Alyce taught Sunday school there for many years and she sang in the church choir for over 50 years. In addition, she created and served as a president of the Church Service Guild and was a longtime member of the Church Youth Groups. Alyce loved the Lord Jesus and was a “prayer warrior” for family, community, and the world . She had a keen sense of family and her daughter, Anne, wishes to thank her mother for her unconditional love, and for encouraging and praying for her every day of her life. All her family have special loving thoughts of Alyce and she will be sadly missed by them.

Alyce always kept busy and had many enjoyments and pastimes, however reading was one of her most pleasant leisure activities.

Alyce Marie Austad survivors include: her loving and devoted husband, Glen; 1 Son: Peter Theodore (Sarah) Austad of Marinette, WI; 1 Daughter: Anne Irene (Mark) Willis of Kirksville, MO; 6 grandchildren: Taylor Austad, a student at Linnfield, Oregon, David Austad of Marinette, WI, Adam, Allyson, Peter, and Arielle Willis, all of Missouri

She was the last survivor of her original family, having her parents and 2 sisters, Kathleen “KeKe” Holmgren and Vera Mathews preceded her in death.

The family of Alyce Austad will receive friends on Monday at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating Alyce’s life will follow on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Stephen Gauger officiating.

Luncheon will follow services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery. The family respectfully requests memorials in her behalf be directed to the Calvary Lutheran Church. Envelopes will be available at the church or at the Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.