Loretta (Udelhoven) Austin

Loretta (Udelhoven) Austin, age 95, passed away peacefully October 27, 2022, at Lancaster Health Services.  Loretta was born October 12, 1927, in Potosi Township, the fifth child of William and Lillie (Swendsen) Udelhoven.  She attended Holy Ghost School in Dickeyville, but she was only able to complete eighth grade as she was needed to help at home.  She married Donald Austin in January of 1947.  They farmed together and raised their four children on the Austin family farm. They remained there until 1979 when they happily retired and moved to their home in Montfort.

While on the farm, and after her children were all in school, Loretta decided to earn her high school diploma going to night school.  She proudly accomplished that and received her diploma the same year as one of her daughters did.

Loretta loved being busy and helping others.  One of her favorite activities was working with 4-H for over 30 years, both at the local and county level.  She was a club leader, a project leader and a fair superintendent.  She spent many years teaching children leathercraft long after her own children had left home.  She loved a table full of youngsters having fun and hammering away on their leather projects at her dining room table.  In addition, Loretta served on the Montfort Library Board for 12 years and was instrumental in the library acquiring its very first computer. She was also a member of the Dixon Busy Fingers Homemaker Club for 20 years, and she made many dear friends there. Loretta was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 9298 and served as President of the Third District Auxiliary for two years.  She also was a member of St. Thomas Parish and CCW. Loretta lived a long and full life, active up until the last two years.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to make people smile.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, her siblings and their spouses, Christopher, Eva (George) Pennekamp, Dorothy (Bernie) McReynolds, Gerald (Delores) Udelhoven,  Adolph Udelhoven, Julitta Flogel, and John Dolan.  She was also preceded by her husband Donald, second husband Hugh (Scotty) Muir, and son-in-law, Dan Marcum.

Loretta is survived by her brother-in-law, Jack Flogel, and sisters Wilma Dolan and Lillian (Edward) Spitzbarth.  Loretta is further survived by her four children, Larry, Diana (Dave) Kuhls, Lily (Kerry) Long, and Donald Jr (Kathy).  In addition, Loretta is survived by 12 grandchildren who fondly referred to her as “Granny”: Aaron (Brandy) Austin, Shane (Steffany) Austin, Cody (Melanie) Austin, Tim (Stacy) Kuhls, Nicky (Kevin) Pluemer, Ryan (Audra) Kuhls, Nat (Elizabeth) Marcum, Sam (Anne) Marcum, Leah (Jon) Fisher, Amber Austin (Darin Shireman), Kyle Austin, and Chelsey Austin.  Loretta’s real joy in her later years came from her 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great- granddaughter.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Montfort Rescue Squad or Fire Department.