Dana Gayle (Matthews) Legried, 38, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, in a motorcycle accident.

Dana was born in Austin, Minn., on Nov. 10, 1973, to David and Marian (Faber) Matthews. She graduated from Austin High School in 1992. She married Brad White (Austin) in 1994 and they had one son, Trevor. Brad and Dana were divorced in 1997, but remained friends over the years, in their cooperative role of parenthood. In 2006, Dana married Paul Legried, also of Austin. Dana has worked for the Hormel Foods Corporation since 2005, and most recently held the position of transportation scheduler and dispatch clerk. She had previously worked for Weyerhaueser.

She was an animal-lover, like her Mom, and saved many dogs over the years by adopting them from the animal shelter. Dana excelled in athletics. She was well-known for her exceptional pitching skills at Austin High School, where she played varsity for four years, was named Big Nine All Conference for three years and All-Region for two years. She pitched in excess of 40 winning games for Austin High. While she was best-known for fast-pitch softball, in her early years, before there was a girls’ hockey program in Austin, she played hockey on the boys teams, up through Peewees.

Dana was a devoted Mom, wife, daughter, sister and a friend to many. She also enjoyed being outdoors with friends, caring for her dogs, and in earlier years, playing softball for the Austin Park and Rec., and playing on dart leagues. Dana was adventurous and enjoyed life. She was looking forward with excitement to trips she would take with her husband on their new motorcycle.

She is survived by her son, Trevor White; husband, Paul Legried; mother, Marian Matthews, Austin; a brother, Brad Matthews, Austin; a sister, Jill (Troy) Rickheim, Bloomington, Minn.; niece, Kaelyn Matthews; nephews, Justin Matthews, David Rickheim and Cory Rickheim.

She was preceded in death by her father, David Matthews, grandparents Harry and Mary Matthews and Louis and Gertrude Faber.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin, with Pastor Jeffrey Forbes officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service with a luncheon following the service. Memorials can be sent to the Mower County Humane Society or Grace Lutheran Church. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.