Vernyce Austin, 99, of Austin, died Monday morning, Aug. 8, 2011, at Our House Memory Care, Austin.

Vernyce Eletha Christopherson was born March 26, 1912, in Knox, N.D., to Alfred and Clara (Knutson) Christopherson. On Feb. 20, 1936, she married Wayne Austin in Austin, Minn., where they lived all their married life and ran Gopher Distributing. As a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Vernyce was active in her church circle. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters, her aunt, and friends. She loved to play the piano, entertain, and especially enjoyed trips to Florida. Vernyce lived at the Cedars of Austin for eight years and at Our House in Austin for eight years.

Survivors include her son, Donald (Darlene) Austin of Lake City, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Austin of Lake City; five grandchildren, Jill (Bob) Hoesly of Hatboro, Pa.; Jeffrey Austin of Austin; Amy (Andy) Renshaw of Miami, Fla.; Dan (Melanie) Austin of Rosemount; Jim Austin of St. John’s, Virgin Islands; 11 great-grandchildren, Jeffrey Austin Jr., Kathryn Austin, Michael Hoesly, Kristina Austin, Elizabeth Hoesly, Emma Austin, Laura Hoesly, Natalie Austin, Alexander Austin, Megan Renshaw, Scott Renshaw; two great-great-grandchildren, Ethan Austin and Austin Murphy; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne in 1975; son, Robert in 1985; one brother and two sisters.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, August 12, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment is at Grandview Cemetery, Austin. Memorials are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church, The Alzheimer’s Association, or donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.