Helen JoAnn Austin

Helen JoAnn Austin, age 91, Plainville, passed away August 26, 2025.

She was the youngest of six children, born on January 19, 1934, in Minneapolis, Kansas, to Roy William David and Mildred (Ingram) Austin. Her siblings included Roy David, Leo Clarence, Vera Florrene, Harold Gordon, and Charles Eugene.

As the youngest in the family, Helen grew up poor, but with a fierce work ethic inherited from her parents, she managed to raise six healthy children during the Depression and Dust Bowl years. When family finances finally freed up enough for her to take piano lessons, she fell in love with music, which led to her 40-year career as an elementary school music teacher. Helen never married, and when asked about her status, would, without missing a beat, state that her husband died in the war before she met him!

Helen traveled with Marilyn Hickey Ministries on numerous mission trips around the world. She loved telling of her experience of smuggling Bibles into Communist China and how the Lord, quite literally, 'opened a way' for their team to get through customs! Helen volunteered for the Humane Society for years.

As her health started to deteriorate, Helen moved from her home of 20 years She enjoyed the cute space for about a year when, unfortunately, she tripped and fell, resulting in a complete fracture in her shoulder and upper arm as well as a broken finger. She was transferred to the hospital in Plainville. Unable to return home alone, she was transferred to the Redbud Nursing Home.

Helen is survived by her nieces and nephews: Tom (Karalee) Austin of Minneapolis; Gordon (Jane) Austin of Washburn, Mo.; and Merry (Ted) Palmer of Blanding, Utah.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, David, Harold, Charles, and Leo Austin, and her sister, Vera.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Plainville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Global Missions and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease. com