Priscilla A. Haines Redding, 97, of Austin, Minn., died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, at St. Anthony Health Center in St. Anthony, Minn., after celebrating Christmas with family.

Priscilla Ann Haines was born Sept. 15, 1915, in Rockford, Ill., to Anthony and Elizabeth (Schuster) Haines. In her early years, she lived in Rockford, Winnetka, and Chicago, Ill., as well as Jackson, Mich., where she met her future husband. She graduated from Lake Forest High school in 1933. Priscilla attended college at the University of Missouri, where she was Gamma Phi Beta. She remained a part of this sorority for more than 50 years. She also attended the University of Arizona and the University of Wisconsin, studying history and religion. Employed at Pennsylvania Central Airlines and Marshall Fields, Priscilla served her country in the United States Navy as a payroll officer and nurse’s aide during World War II.

After her marriage to William Redding on Jan. 21, 1944, on Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, the couple lived in Jackson and Rockford, and later moved to Austin in April 1954. They raised their children and Priscilla remained in the same home until 2009 when she moved to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. During her life, Priscilla loved to swim, walk and ride bike. She biked many miles up until the age of 88. She enjoyed Bible study, rummage sales, traveling, staying in elder hostels and learning. She was a huge reader and spent a lot of time at the Austin Public Library. She loved to stay active and involved. She enjoyed playing cribbage and cards, especially bridge. A member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Priscilla was also active in AAUW and the Art and Travel Club. Other organizations in which she was a member include the Austin Country Club, the American Legion and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Survivors include her children, Ann (Bob) Bowman of Hollandale, Minn., Mary Helen (Gary) Munkholm of Ramsey, Minn., William Redding Jr. of Bloomington, Minn., Anthony (Ann) Redding of Minneapolis, Kathryn (Renato) Parada of Tucson, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Elizabeth Haines; her husband, William on July 6, 1978; and one sister.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Thomas Ogilvie officiating. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the service at St. John’s. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, with military rites by the American Legion Post 91. Memorials are preferred to the church. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.