MOUND, Minn. - Austin Evans passed away while listening to a Good Friday service surrounded by family members on April 7, 2023. Austin was born in Cardiff, Wales, on Feb. 10, 1936. He married Diane Courtney in 1959 in Penarth, Wales. After selling his successful commercial property development business, he began his journey to Minnesota in 1973, by immigrating to Edmonton, Canada, before arriving in Orono in 1975.

In his life, he was a dedicated husband, father, soccer coach, Sunday School teacher, and businessman. Austin spent his career working in commercial real estate and enjoyed spending his free time with his family at his vacation home in Vail, Colo. He stayed an avid skier until he was 80-years-young, and continued his trips out west years afterward “for the good parties.”

Following the death of his wife, Diane, he spent the early 2000s dedicated to mission work. Taking multiple trips to Ukraine with Ridgewood church as well as the Fathering Institute. He also spent a year and a half in Nairobi, Kenya, working as a business administrator for Daystar University.

He worshiped and volunteered at Ridgewood church for almost 40 years. He was an avid reader and theologian. He was also an organist and loved classical and sacred music.

No love was greater than his love for his grandchildren, who remember him for his forgetfulness of board game rules, his dedication to attending their sporting events and theater performances, his proud Welsh heritage, and the postcards he would send from the more than 40 countries he visited in his life.

Ausin is survived by his two sons, Philip (Joan) of Madison, and Roger (Michele) of Eden Prairie; four grandchildren, Austin (Danielle), Anna (Joseph) Garcia-Menocal, Shelby, and Bethany; sister, Gill (Peter) Madley of Shrewsbury, UK; and extended family in both the USA and UK. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Harold and Mercia Irene; brother David; and wife, Diane.

A memorial service will be held at RIDGEWOOD CHURCH, 4420 County Road 101, Minnetonka, Minn., at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023. A light lunch will follow. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials may be made to Kenya Children’s Fund (kenyachildrensfund.org). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Austin H. Evans

February 10, 1936 - April 07, 2023

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