Norma Jean Austin, 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in her Bountiful, Utah home on Sunday, April 27, 2014, after a struggle with breast cancer. She was born on March 11, 1929 in Montpelier, ID to William Clarence Grandy and Mary Viola Bridges. She was raised in Bear Lake County, ID, graduating as valedictorian of Montpelier High School. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education from Utah State University. She married her high school sweetheart, Lynn Matthews Austin, in the Logan LDS Temple on August 30, 1950. As a result of her husband's career with the Boy Scouts of America, they raised their six children in various parts of the country, including Ogden, UT; Redwood City, CA; Roy, UT; Bountiful, UT; Olmsted Township, OH; and Fremont, CA. They retired in Bountiful. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as president of every auxiliary organization and in many other capacities. She and Lynn served a mission for the LDS Church at the Oakland, CA Family History Library 1990-1992. Her love of family history continued throughout her life. She indexed genealogical records for the Church, completing more than 200,000 records. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She lovingly cared for her husband through his 17-year battle with Parkinson's Disease until his death in 2002. In her home, there was always a ballgame on the TV, a jigsaw puzzle on the table, and cookies in the orange cookie jar. Mom's greatest love was her family, and her door was always open.
She is survived by four daughters, Terry (Craig) Stapley, Kearns, UT; Billie (Scott) Allred, Bountiful, UT; Lorraine Austin, Salt Lake City, UT; Kim Austin, Bountiful, UT; two sons, Kevin (Rebekka) Austin, Tracy, CA; Trevor (Kimberly) Austin, Bountiful, UT; 23 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren with two more on the way. Also survived by a sister, Evelyn Young, Buena Park, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Willard Clarence Grandy and Carl Rulon Grandy; a granddaughter, Lynette Austin Stapley; and a great grandson, Adam Jared Wrigley.
Many thanks to all the health care professionals, friends and family who cared for Norma Jean during her illness.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 3, 1:00 PM, at the Bountiful 20th Ward building, 102 East 1400 South. Friends may call on Friday, May 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, and Saturday prior to the services from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.