Dorothy May Austin

Aug. 6, 1921 - Jan. 26th 2015

On the afternoon of January 26th, 2015, Dorothy passed away after a lengthy illness at St. Anne’s group home in Las Vegas, NV, in the presence of her son, Vern and daughter-in-law, Stacia. Dorothy was 93 years old. Dorothy was born August 6th, 1921 in Modesto California to Catherine and Willis Singer. She was the 4th sibling and 2nd girl born into the family. She spent her early years in Modesto attending school and learned a lot about cattle and horses while living on Ed Mape’s Ranch. She always referred to him as Uncle Eddie. Times were tough as she was only 8 when the depression hit. She used to always tell us stories about being able to go to the movies and have popcorn and a coke for 15 cents and a loaf of bread costing a nickel. During World War II, Dorothy had several jobs including working for the Army where she had several duties including working in an office, doing oil changes in the service shop, being the driver for an officer who thought she should be doing something besides working on vehicles and working a route for a jukebox company where she collected money and changed out the records in numerous bars and restaurants. After the war, she spent time with her father in Lovelock, Nevada and eventually settled in Fallon where she first worked at the sales yard on Auction Road. It was in Fallon that she met her future husband Vern Austin Sr.Dorothy and Vern were married in 1957 and lived on a farm on Allen Road. Son, Vern Jr. came along in 1960. In 1968, Vern Sr. passed away and Dorothy continued running the farm until she retired and sold the farmland to the Minner family. In 2005, due to health reasons, she sold off the rest of the property and moved to Henderson to live with her son and family. She spent nearly 10 years in Henderson and was able to spend her time with her family and watch her grandsons Trevor and Chance grow up. She always liked to sneak them Hershey Kisses when they came home from school. She was moved to the group home 2 weeks before she passed. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Vern, parents Katherine and Willis, siblings Lillian Bakmas, Walter and Glenn Kincaid, Mary Breen, Billy Singer, step mother Emma Myers, step son Mitchell Austin, step grandchildren Linda and Carol and niece Shirley Bowden. Dorothy is survived by her son, Vern, daughter-in-law Stacia, sister Christine Drewrey, niece Karen Solario (Henry), nephew John Bakmas, nephew Bill Drewrey and family, niece, Karen Hertler and family, step son Roger Austin (Joan), grandsons Trevor and Chance Austin, step grandchildren Dean, Theresa, Monica, Mitchell and Michele along with numerous great nieces and nephews. She said to make sure we mentioned her old friends Pete Crystal and Pard Cline as well. Graveside services will be held at Fallon Cemetery on Saturday, February 7th, at 11am. A celebration of life will follow at Dorothy’s favorite place to hang out, Stockman’s Casino. Arrangements are with Smith Family Funeral Home. 423-2255.