Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Austing

1961 - 2026

Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Austing, 64, of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, from complications of a spontaneous brain bleed Jan. 7, 2026, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Jan. 12 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. A private inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Jeffrey Bernard Austing was born Nov. 4, 1961, in Melrose, Minnesota, to Richard and Dorothy (Finken) Austing. He was united in marriage to Rose Butkowski March 23, 2001, in Long Prairie. Jeff worked as a union bricklayer and mason for over 20 years but most recently worked at Felling Trailers in Sauk Centre and Ramler Cold Storage in Albany.
He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa and the Lions Club.
Jeff was a family man who was proud of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, tinkering in the garage, feeding the birds, loved his cat, Ruby, and loved visiting with family and friends.
Survivors include his loving wife of 24 years, Rose Austing, of Freeport; children Jordan (Angie) Meyer of Sauk Rapids, Jerome (Kayla) Meyer of Wadena, Brenan (Brianna) Austing of Trego, Wisconsin, and Lydia (Jared) Eickhoff of Arvada, Colorado; grandchildren Isabella, Roman, Scarlett, and one on the way, Brynnley, Desmond, Ainsley and Charley; mother Dorothy Austing of Freeport; brothers and sisters Sandy (Floyd) Sand of Freeport, Joyce Traczyk of Shoreview, Brenda (Suds) Salzmann of Avon, Dan Austing of Freeport and Dick (Jane) Austing of St. Rosa; and many loving relatives and friends.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Richard Austing; granddaughter Berkley Dee Austing; and sister-in-law Lori Austing Oct. 21, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.