Joan Lee Austin's Obituary
Joan Lee Austin, 96, of Brooklyn, Michigan, joined the angels November 24, 2025, after an impressive battle with Dementia. Her family is at peace knowing she’s once again with her husband of 69 years, Jud Austin. Together, they raised three children, Mike (Debbi), Karen (Dave) Sproul, and Matthew (Julie), and doted on six grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. Joan is preceded in death by her parents Vince & Mila Weisbruch, brother Stan Weisbruch and sister Dona Anglemyre.
Joan was born on September 8, 1929, in Fort Madison, Iowa. After graduating from Catholic Central High School (class of 1946) at the age of sixteen, Joan and her parents relocated to Wamplers Lake. Too young to work, she enrolled for her second senior year at Brooklyn High School ’47 where she met Jud '48. They were married at St. Joesph Shrine on October 28, 1950.
Joan’s lifelong love of books took her to the Brooklyn Library after her retirement from Jackson Community College. She loved scouring the beach at Boca Grande for shells and any Michigan shoreline for unique rocks. She also loved frog décor. Her family isn’t really sure where that came from, but it was always a reliable gift idea, so they didn’t question it. Joan, the family early-bird, was always the person to call if you needed to talk to someone first thing in the morning. This was particularly helpful for her son who traveled for work and her granddaughter who needed help staying awake on the drive home after night shifts. But if you needed something after 9:00 pm – call Jud. Our very own Annie Oakley, Joan amused her family endlessly with the BB gun she kept by the front door to keep her bird feeders and bird baths squirrel-free. This perplexed them when she was willing to adopt a stray cat who made itself at home under her deck. More than the homemade chocolate milk, crumblies, meat pie, spagoo, and book-related adventures; Joan’s tight hugs, bubbly laugh, and spunky personality are what her family will miss most about her until they see each other again.
There will be a visitation Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 am at St Rita Catholic Church, followed by a funeral mass at noon. Immediately following the mass, there will be a celebration of life at the Clarklake Golf Course, 5535 Wesch Rd., Clarklake, MI 49230. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Jackson District Library, Brooklyn Branch - 207 N. Main St, Brooklyn, MI 49230
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