Forrest D. Austin

Forrest D. Austin, 81, Center, died Feb. 28, 2010, at Medcenter One Hospital, Bismarck. 

Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Rev. Chad Gion as celebrant. Burial was at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by the Flasher American Legion Post 69. 

Forrest was born May 30, 1928, in Ardock, to Floyd and Gertrude (Mazurek) Austin. He was raised in Gilby, and attended high school. At Wahpeton School of Science he studied as a machinist and after graduation moved to Valley City, where he worked as an automotive machinist at Dakota Auto Supply.

Forrest enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1949 and later served for seven months with Company L, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division in Seoul, Korea. As a squad leader, he performed in an exemplary manner throughout all phases of operation, working under the most adverse field and weather conditions. Corporal Austin’s unhesitant devotion to duty, initiative, and aggressiveness aided in the company’s missions. For this service he received the Bronze Star Medal. During this mission, on Feb. 4, 1951, he was reported missing in action after being trapped and fighting hand to hand combat, enduring unimaginable days of war and conflict. Days later his parents received a letter detailing his ordeal and proving he was alive and well. On May 20, 1951, Forrest was injured, having a shrapnel flesh wound, and received the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 3, 1951, and has forever been honored and proud of his service to his country.

On June 23, 1952 Forrest married Frances Huhncke in Steele. In 1969 they moved to Center, and Forrest worked at Minnkota Power Company, Square Butte Station, retiring in 1987 as a Power Plant Clerk.

Forrest will be remembered as strong willed and very independent in his ways. An avid sportsman, he was known to those around the water as “the old man and his dog.” Whenever anyone would ask how the fishing conditions were, they’d always refer them to Forrest, out on the water. He once had 91 consecutive days fishing on the Missouri River with his loyal companion, Bruiser, his dog. He loved walleye, and was generous with his catches, having a town fish fry in Center. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother, Forrest’s memories will be forever cherished in the hearts of those he loved.

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife of 57 years, Frances, Center; three daughters, Teresa Helmenstein and Patty (Douglas) Burkhart, both of Center, and Elise (Jerry) Argall, Phoenix, Ariz.; two sons, Keith (Brenda) Austin, Mandan, and Kent Austin, Anchorage, Alaska; nine grandchildren, Lucinda, Melissa, Jyle, Brett, Brian, Aaron, Casey, Kayla, Travis, Jeramiah, and Jessica; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Luminda (Connie) Murock, Buckston; two brothers, Floyd (Marge) Austin, Devils Lake, and Eugene (Flora) Austin, Sanoma, Calif.; and sister-in-law, Marie Austin, Castro Valley, Calif.

Forrest was preceded in death by his parents; brother, LeRoy; and an infant grandson, Austin Helmenstein.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook and view flower and tribute photos.