Ione Austad, 80, died on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at the McIntosh Manor Nursing Home in McIntosh, MN.

Funeral services will be held 10:30, Monday, August 29, 2005 at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, rural Oklee, MN with Rev. Frank Ehling officiating. Burial will be at the Ebenezer Cemetery, Mayfield Township, Pennington County, MN.

Visitation will be from 5-8 PM on Sunday, August 28, 2005 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM Sunday evening and at the church for one hour prior to services on Monday.

Ione Charlotte Weberg was born on February 25, 1925 near Trail, MN, the daughter of Adolph and Amanda (Lucken) Weberg. She grew up and attended school in Trail. Following school Ione attended Beauty School in Red Lake Falls and worked as a beautician before her marriage.

She was united in marriage to Ole Austad in Hibbing, MN in 1943 at her parents and the couple lived and farmed their entire life on Oles home farm in Mayfield Township, Pennington County, MN.

Ione worked on a neighbors chicken farm off and on for several years. She also worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Thief River Falls. She moved to McIntosh Manor in March of 2005.

Ione was an avid sewer, loved gardening, berry picking, working crossword puzzles, word games, and enjoyed cooking and baking. She won the Minnesota State Humanitarian Award, Rural Beautification Farm Award and was chosen Resident of the Month in August at the Nursing Home.

Ione is survived by three sons: Russell Austad, Oklee, MN; Lyle (Vickie) Austad, Trail, MN, Gary Austad, Detroit Lakes, MN; two daughters: Judy (Gary) Bartz, Coon Rapids, MN; Jean Hoiby, Blaine, MN; nine grandchildren,16 great grandchildren; one sister, Diane (Orval) Erickson of Fargo, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ole in 1995, three brothers: Richard, Dean and Robert; and three sisters: Lucille, Jean and Donna.

Family condolences may be sent www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN (218) 681-4331 FAX (218)