Wesley Gene Austin

After graduating from Greeley High School, Wes proudly served his country as a member of the Marine Corps; it was service he was deeply proud of throughout his life – ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE! He was stationed in San Diego for basic training, then went to Cherry Point, North Carolina to attend radar school. Upon graduating from radar school, he was shipped off to Japan where he spent most of his time while serving. After his Honorable Discharge from the Marines, he returned to CO to work at State Farm Insurance. It was there he met and wooed a fellow employee named Noreen. Noreen would later state, ’I lived in an apartment with a bunch of girls. Wes and his friends were always around’.

Noreen and Wes were married on June 6th, 1964 in St. Paul, MN. They quickly had to jump in their car and drive non-stop back to Colorado so Wes could start his new job at IBM…they only made it to Mankato - they were either tired or really excited to be married! Wes retired from IBM after 30 years.

Wes was a member of the American Legion and enjoyed working in his garage, reading, singing Ronnie Milsap at the top of his lungs, and yelling at the TV during Vikings games; but, his biggest passion was his family.

Wes is preceded in death by his sister Gloria. He is survived by his wife, Noreen; his 4 children: Mark (Cassie), Stephanie (Steve), Scott (Mili), Jeff (Jen); his 6 grandchildren: Jason (Becky), Samantha (Ben), Alexandra, Jesse (Malinda), Zachary, Mark (Rikki); 2 great grandchildren: Nora, Benjamin and his 2 sisters: Vicki (Bill) and Marjorie.

Wes Austin - husband, father, grandfather, brother…friend. He will be missed.

Services will be held at St. Mary of the Purification in Marystown, MN on July 20th, at 11 AM. with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Wes’ name to Wayside Recovery Center:

3705 Park Center Blvd

St. Louis Park, MN 55416