Verneda June (Fox) Austen was born July 2, 1922 in Powell, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry and Helena (Milius) Fox and passed away on June 2, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 94 years, 11 months. Verneda was baptized July 30, 1922 ; she was confirmed April 5, 1936 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fairbury. Following her graduation in 1939 from Fairbury High School, Verneda taught in a country school for several years. On December 25, 1947, Verneda was united in marriage to Leland Boyd Austen at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Daykin, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters: Cheryl, Kathy and Jan. They moved to Pleasant Dale in 1953 and Verneda worked at their family lumber yard as well as being a homemaker. She and Lee enjoyed traveling and the sunshine of South Texas where they spent many winters during their retirement years.   She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Pleasant Dale, Ladies Aid, Senior Citizens and Peppy Dames Extension Club. Verneda was an excellent seamstress. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother of three daughters, grandmother of six; great-mama of seven and "adopted" mother and neighborhood grandmother of many.

Verneda is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leland in 2013; two brothers and their spouses: Herman (Theola) Fox and Lester (Doreen) Fox and her sister, Erma Timme.

Survivors cherishing Verneda's memory include three daughters: Cheryl Leavitt and husband Robert of Omaha, Kathy Austen of Northfield, MN, Janice Stahly and husband Patrick of Northfield, MN; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.