Verdon Austad

Verdon Eugene Austad, age 83, of Fostoria, Iowa, passed away at Avera McKennan hospital on October 16, 2025.

Verdon was born at home in Arlington, South Dakota, July 27, 1942, to Harley and Myrl (Pederson) Austad. He spent much of his childhood helping his grandparents on their farm and taking care of his mother and brother when they had rheumatic fever.

After high school, he joined the Navy and was stationed on the aircraft carrier the USS Hornet. After his service he worked as an upholsterer in Aberdeen, South Dakota where he met Joy Walterman. They married during freezing temperatures on December 10, 1966, and began a life full of love, laughter, tears, and more stories than can be shared here. They were blessed with 3 daughters, Tina, Sherry, and Danice.

Together in 1972 they moved to Iowa where he worked at Winnebago for a brief time. They moved to the Iowa Great Lakes in 1973 where he once again worked as an upholsterer for StyleCraft and helped start the research and development department, creating new designs and patterns.

In 2003, Verdon moved to Fostoria. Here he joined the Methodist Church and later retired from StyleCraft. Retirement did not slow him down! He became a Sunday school teacher and lay pastor at the Fostoria United Methodist Church, volunteered at the Great Lakes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, went to his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s events, and lent his expertise to anyone that needed him.

Verdon loved hunting, rodeo, antiquing, Halloween, and being in the country. In his spare time, he liked to draw, paint, carve wood, and restore furniture. If you asked him to build something, he always made 2 (or more)! He also played the guitar, made chocolate candies, decorated cakes, and wrote music and poetry. Verdon collected beer mugs and signs and was a huge fan of Elvis. His largest collection, however, is his music. He amassed thousands of records, 8-tracks, cassettes, and CDs in various genres.

Verdon is survived by his children Tina (Jimmy) Stewart, Sherry (Jeff) Spencer, and Danice (Jack) Kropf, 6 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Joy, and brother Eugene.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 2:30 pm at the Milford Turner Jenness Funeral Home. Visitation is at 1:30 pm prior to the service. Military rites will be conducted by the Milford American Legion Post 0384 at 2:00 PM.