Carol Jean Austin

Carol Jean Austin, age 81, of Northwood, Iowa passed away peacefully Monday, April 22, 2024 at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 10 at Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Kildeer Ave., Kensett, IA 50448. Carol’s Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with a lunch to follow. Carol (Nauman) was born on June 17, 1942 in a hospital in Riceville, IA. She was raised in her early years in Leroy, MN, ultimately graduating high school in 1960 in Lime Springs, IA. She was part of Lime Springs’ final (and largest) graduating class – estimated at just over 20 people! Carol was the class vice-president and the Homecoming Queen runner up. After graduating high school, she lived in Minnesota, got married and raised two children while working full time. Carol moved to Indiana to re-unite with her high school sweetheart and finally came home to Iowa in 2005. In her free time, Carol loved reading, sewing, craft-working, and claimed to be the cribbage champion of northern Iowa. Carol loved music, playing the piano, singing in the church, and playing in bell choirs. The only things better tasting than Carol’s meatloaf were the meatloaf sandwiches made the next day! Carol was a faithful member of the ladies’ circle at her church until her health deteriorated. Carol is survived by her husband Wayne Austin of Northwood (also Lime Springs Class of 1960!); son Scott Dunham of Prior Lake, MN; daughter Suzanne (Andy) Nagel of Whitewood, SD; and grandchildren Anne (Mason) Whitney, Robert Dunham, and Joelle Nagel. Schroeder-Hoff Funeral Homes, Northwood, 641-324-1121