Colena Austin, 88, passed away November 23, 2021, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.  She was born February 18, 1933, in Minneapolis, KS, to Herbert Gordon and Ruth (Payne) Freeman.

Colena was a 1951 graduate of Minneapolis High School.  She worked at the Partridge Public Library fulltime from March 1966 to April 1998, and then part time from 1998 until her death.  Colena was a member of the Mothers Club, Girl Scouts, Kansas Twin Association, and the South Hutchinson Christian Church.  She enjoyed baking, gardening, and canning.

On January 3, 1954, Colena married Darrell E. Austin, in Salina.  They shared over 67 years of marriage.

She is survived by:  husband, Darrell Austin of Partridge; children, Belinda (Terry) Rabe of Dodge City, and Gordon (Polly) Austin of Garden City; grandchildren, Samantha Allen of Aurora, CO, Jesse Austin of Lanchaster, PA, and Carly (Keith) VenJohn of Garden City; and siblings, Harley (Lucille) Freeman of Wellington, Royce (Margie) Freeman of Abilene, Jon Paul (Pat) Freeman of Tallahasse, FL, and Ann Province of Lynn Haven, FL.

Colena was preceded in death by:  her parents; siblings, Alena Rassmussen (twin sister), Ladonna Parkins, Ed Freeman, Wendell Freeman, Ronnie Freeman, Calvin Dean Freeman, Ted Freeman, Loyd Freeman, and Neil Freeman.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 29, 2021, at South Hutchinson Christian Church, 111 E. 1st Avenue, South Hutchinson, with Pastor Jeff Arnold officiating.  Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at the Culver Union Cemetery, Culver, KS.  Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 27, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 28, with the family present from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to South Hutchinson Christian Church, Partridge Public Library, or Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.