Lorna Mae Austin Means

Passed Away on March 28, 2020

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LORNA MAE AUSTIN MEANS

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother in Mesa, AZ, on March 28, 2020 after a brief illness.

She was born to Natalie Daisey Godfrey and Lester Frank Austin on February 6, 1932 in Aberdeen, SD.  When Lorna was about four, the family moved to Denver, CO, where they lived until she was a young teen.  From there the family moved to Lincoln, NE. She graduated from Lincoln High School and went on to attend the University of Nebraska for a short time.  Lorna also attended CO State Teacher’s College in Greeley, CO, now known as UNC. During high school and/or college, Lorna was a member of a synchronized swimming team, and never lost her love for the water.  While working in the library at U of Nebraska she met Warren Clarence Masker, whom she married on March 28, 1953. For a short time after getting married, she taught kindergarten, both in Iowa and back in Denver, CO.

Lorna and Warren divorced in 1971, and she married Edward George Kabo on December 31, 1971.  They moved to Sunnyvale, CA in 1976, enjoying several years there before returning to Denver around 1982. Ed became ill and passed away in 1985. After his passing, Lorna decided to travel around the US, visiting friends and family for several months. She was always great about staying in close contact with many family members and friends and loved spending time with them.

In 1988 Lorna moved to AZ for a short time, only to meet John J. Kilbane while attending a wedding in CO. She moved back to Montrose, CO, where they were married on February 14, 1990.  They enjoyed spending much time camping, boating, gardening, and breeding dogs together. John preceded her in death in 2004.

At this time, she moved back to AZ, but wasn’t done with CO yet.  She married George Ernest Means on September 28, 2008.  They spent several years as snowbirds, living in both CO and AZ, and had a lot of fun exploring both areas and other parts of the country.  George also preceded her in death in 2018.

During her life, Lorna held a variety of jobs, including teaching, airlines reservations, waitressing at exclusive clubs and banquets, human resources, office manager and other clerical positions.  She worked for several companies such as UA/Denver, Beth Israel Hospital, Fashion Bar, Four Phase, AMD, Motorola, Region 10 in Montrose, and others.

Swimming, watching the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals games, playing Mah Jong and many card games, and just spending time with loved ones, were her passions. Lorna loved unconditionally, was always happy and smiling, and was up for anything suggested.  She made everything fun.  Her life never held a dull moment.  She truly lived and shared with her heart and will be greatly missed by many.

Lorna is survived by her brother, James (Marijo) Austin of Fort Collins, CO; Children: Mike Masker of Mesa, AZ; Randy (Susan) Masker of Livermore, CA; Bruce (Gloria) Masker of Redwood City, CA; Katherine McDowell of Florence, CO; Stepchildren: David (Nola) Means of Parlin, CO; Cathy (Lee) Birk of Thornton, CO; Sherry (Marty) Fenske of Loveland, CO; Mike Kilbane of Meeker, CO; Jennifer (Don) Verhaagen of Coal Creek Canyon, CO; Terry Kilbane of Carefree, AZ; Patricia Gasior, Sherry Kabo, and Debbie Kabo, all of CA; Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Chris) McDowell, Nicole and Austin of Huntsville, AL; Teresa Masker, Joey Borchert and Chris Slade of Mesa, AZ; Amy Masker of Salem, OR; Levi McDowell (Aura Lohnes), Madelynn Hanke and Connor of Penrose, CO; Cody McDowell (Brittany Schilling) and Tayt of Pueblo, CO; and several other step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Others preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, Anita Watson of Fort Collins, CO, her brother, David G. Austin of Fallbrook/Carlsbad, CA; stepson, John R. Kilbane of Highlands Ranch, CO, and several others.

A service will be held at a later date due to the Coronavirus restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.