Austad, John P.

John P. Austad, 85, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, in the Meth-Wick Woodlands. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, where a rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Survivors include his children, Donnelle (Tom) Hoover of Newton, Dianne (Lyle) Vesely of Chelsea, and John P. (Dianne) Austad Jr. of Marion; and two sisters-in-law; Vi Teslow of Decorah, and Jo Austad of Newton.

Also surviving are four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edna; a brother, Jim Austad; and a sister, Jeneen Huffman.

John was born June 26, 1926, in Decorah, Iowa, the son of George and Clara Austad. He married Edna G. Tollefson on Sept. 25, 1944, in Decorah. John was a general contractor. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Catholic Layman and V.F.W. He was an avid card player, reader and Iowa Hawkeye fan. His greatest pastime was watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in all their activities. John served in the Navy during World War II and often shared about the experience of his World War II Honor Flight from Cedar Rapids.

Please leave a message for the family on our Web page under obituaries.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of the Meth-Wick Woodlands for the loving care they gave to John.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Arc of East Central Iowa, 680 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Due to recent construction, it is required that visitors to Cedar Memorial enter making a right turn from west bound First Avenue (heading toward downtown).

Published in The Gazette Sept. 20, 2011.