Glen Albert Austad, age 79, of 10434 Ackley Street, Rapid River, MI died Wednesday evening November 16, 2005 at the Luther Home in Marinette, WI, following a lengthy illness.

Glen was born October 3, 1926 in Sturgeon Bay, WI (Sawyer area) the son of Rev. Theodore and Matilda (Rust) Austad. He was raised in Sturgeon Bay and graduated in 1944 from Sturgeon Bay High School. Glen continued his education at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He served in the Army of the United States from 1945 to 1946 and he continued his service in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947. Following his honorable discharge from the Army he served in the Merchant Marines and sailed on one voyage to Haiti.

Glen was united in marriage to the former Alyce Holmgren on December 26, 1953 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River. Glen and Alyce had celebrated 50 years of marriage. Alyce preceded him in death on January 20th, 2004. In his earlier years he had worked selling advertising to local radio stations. He also sold advertising for the K.I. Sawyer “Northern Light” Newspaper through the Delta Reporter for several years. Glen was the constable and liquor establishment inspector for Masonville Township for many years. He also was the Rapid River correspondent, photographer and reporter for the Escanaba Daily Press for over 20 years, and he additionally covered the U.P. State Fair. In 1991 he received a second place award from the Michigan Associated Press for a Division I News Photo. Glen was an active citizen of Delta County and was an active member of the Rapid River American Legion Walter W. Cole Post #301 of which he served as Chaplain for almost 30 years. In addition, he was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River serving as a delegate for the Lutheran Church Synod. Glen was also affiliated with the Delta County Veterans Council, serving as commander and the Henry S. Baird Lodge #211 F&AM. He received a U.P. Senior Citizen of the Year award for contributions to the community which was presented to him by former First Lady Hillary Clinton. His hobbies included writing and photography and he enjoyed working on projects to help serve the people of Delta County. As a devout Christian, he prayed for and served his community in Christ’s name. He loved and enjoyed his family dearly and his daughter, Anne wishes to thank her dad for his love, service, daily prayers and genuine interest in her life and family’s. All his family have special loving thoughts of Glen and he will sadly be missed by them.

Survivors include:

1 Son: Peter (Sarah) Austad of Marinette, WI

1 Daugher: Anne (Mark) Willis of Kirksville, MO.

6 Grandchildren: Taylor Austad of McMinville, OR, David Austad of Marinette, WI, Adam, Allyson, Peter, and Arielle Willis of Kirksville, MO.

Numerous nieces and nephews and 2 sister-in-laws.

In addition to his parents and wife Alyce he was preceded in death by: 5 Brothers: Ernest, Bud, Orville, Miron and Russell.

Glen’s family will receive friends on Monday from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River. Funeral services celebrating the life of Glen A. Austad will follow at 1:00 P.M. at the Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Stephen Gauger officiating. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Committal services will follow at 3:00 P.M. at the Rapid River Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Rapid River American Legion Post #301. Memorial contributions in memory of Glen may be directed to the Rapid River American Legion or to Calvary Lutheran Church, envelopes will be available at the church or the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes.