Thomas L. “Tom” Fifer, 80, Minneapolis, died Friday, October 10, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Society – Minneapolis. He was born January 13, 1934 in Sullivan County, IN to James Alsop and Dola Fifer.

Tom moved to Kansas in 1954 when he joined the United States Navy and was a CB stationed in Hutchinson until 1959. He was a truck driver most of his life. Tom was a member of the Teamsters. He drove for K&W Trucking of Osborne and he delivered busses for Bennett’s of Salina.

Tom is survived by his children Carma Karsten (Toby) and Darla Simmons (Chuck) all of Salt Lake City, UT, and Tommy Fifer (Ann) of Elmo; step-daughter Brenda Blake and step-son Darwin Belvill (Leslie) all of Minneapolis; six grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and 16 step-great-grandchildren; and his very good friend Betty White of Salina.

A reception celebrating Tom’s life will be at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 14 at the Golden Wheel Senior Center, 114 S. Concord, Minneapolis. Private family burial will be in the Highland Cemetery, Minneapolis. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Golden Wheel.

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Vivian Irene Austin, 97, of Salina, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. She was born Nov. 19, 1916, near Bennington to Roscoe and Mary Luella (Wakefield) Jones.

She taught two years in a country school. On Nov. 26, 1936, she married Loren W. Austin, in Houston. For 12 years, they made Houston their home before moving to a farm near Courtland, where they lived for 37 years.

In 1985, they moved to Salina. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, belonged to a Home Extension Unit and held an office in United Methodist Women. She was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and gardener.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Loren W. Austin; two infants, Curtis and Rachel; a son, Robert E. Austin; two brothers, Kenneth and Arthur Jones; and a stepgrandson.

Survivors include a stepgranddaughter, Robin McBride; a stepgreat-grandson; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at First United Methodist Church, 122 N. Eighth, Salina. Inurnment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Culver. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth, Salina 67401.