May 9, 1922 – Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Service Information
Historic Church of St. Michael in St. Mi
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
6:00 P.M.

Visitation Information

Austin Joseph Aydt, age 88, of St Michael and later a resident of the Monticello-Big Lake Nursing home, passed away on Wednesday, April 20th, 2011.
He was born on May 9, 1922 in St. Michael, the youngest of 11 children to Frank Ignatius & Frances Schumacher Aydt. Austin’s grandfather, Frank T. Aydt, helped establish the village of St. Michael, owning and operating the first general store/post office on the site known today as Ditto‘s Bar. His pioneering family helped construct and fund the historic Catholic church of St. Michael.
As a young boy, Austin earned money by trapping and selling the furs. As a teen, he was an innovative entrepreneur, buying the first hay baler, earning money by baling for many area farmers. He invested those earnings in the purchase of a “state of the art” flatbed truck and started Aydt Trucking. He designed and built a rack and hoist system, which allowed him to haul canned milk to the St. Michael and Monticello Creameries, as well as tons of corn, cement block and other local products. In addition, he was a crop farmer and avid gardener. He purchased and farmed the original Aydt homestead located near Pelican Lake in Frankfort Township.
Austin was a life long member of The Church of St. Michael. Austin met his future wife Genevieve (Jean) Markling at the St. Michael dance hall; they both loved to dance and went every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday night. Austin and Jean joined in holy matrimony on May 9th 1945, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Monticello. He often joked he chose his birth date so he wouldn‘t forget their anniversary! God blessed their marriage with ten children.

Austin was passionate about his family. He enjoyed grilling/barbequing, ice cream at the Millside, and drives in the country. He loved dancing and singing, with an uncanny ability to remember lyrics. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, card playing and wood working. He was able to fix anything: from a broken toy, to farm equipment or even a daughter’s broken heart. His family depended on him for his strength, guidance, compassion and gentle ways; they were proud of his integrity. He will always be remembered for his engaging smile, warm hugs, quick wit and playful wink.

Survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jean; 10 children: Jeff (Joyce) Aydt, Linda Aydt, Amy Rogers, Patty (Bob) Lenneman, Terri Maas Weber, Nancy Betts, Bill (Barb) Aydt, Mary (Bob) Randall, Judy Aydt & Lois (Steve) Hensel; 19 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Ruth Aydt & Carmen Thomas; a sister-in-law: Bernice Aydt; many other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents: Frank Ignatius & Frances Aydt; brothers & sisters: Victor, Br. Remy (C.S.C.), Alcquin, Anselm, Marcella, Sr. Lea (O.S.B.), Inez and Irma; a daughter-in-law Rena M. Young; and 2 sons-in-law: Michael Maas & Jerome “Fuzz” Weber.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, April 26th at the Historic Church in St. Michael from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 6:00 P.M. at The HISTORIC CHURCH of St. Michael.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial to The Historic Church of St. Michael is preferred.
Casket Bearers were Corey Lenneman, John Aydt, Tom Maas, Christopher Aydt, Joe Hensel and Zachary Betts.