The Worlein Funeral Home, originally located at First Drive NW in Austin, has been in business since 1952. Started by Ward and Margaret Worlein, it grew to be a family affair as their sons John and Paul learned the business. In 1990, they opened a funeral home in Blooming Prairie.

The First Drive location of the downtown home did not allow for adequate parking and the street was always busy. It was time to look for a new site for their business. During that time, there was a controversial issue being discussed, regarding the oaks across the street from and on the property of Oakwood Cemetery.

The argument between the parties for and against cutting down the beautiful old trees was never settled. The Cemetery Board agreed to sell the entire site to Worlein, and to the satisfaction of many concerned locals, the new funeral home is nestled among the trees.

After the funeral home opened for business at 1801 Fourth Street NW, the Worleins wanted to do something nice about the lot they had left on First Drive NW. That's how the idea of a park project came up.

"We went to friends and family of Ward and Margaret. They helped to put it all together, and it was done in commemoration of their start of Worleins Funeral Home," Paul Worlein said.

Smiling he added, "It's also a memorial to my parents who have passed away."

Worlein Funeral Home remains a family business. On the Board of Directors, which Paul presides, sits John Worlein, Jerry Anfinson and Kermit Hoversten. Staff at the Austin location includes Jim Stough, Mark McGuire, Bob Beach, Judy Pryor (secretary) and Sharon Barnes (receptionist), each one specialized in performing the sensitive business of a funeral home.

"We are remodeling again and putting an elevator in, so there will be another open house in the spring," Worlein declared.

Individually, the staff members are involved with many community oriented organizations -- the Rotaries, Morning and Noon Lions, YMCA board, Austin Symphony Board and Masons, to name a few.

"That is, between them. Not all of us belong to each of those groups," he clarified quickly. "We are connected with many churches, of course, and the United Way, Mower County.

Joanne (my wife) was on the Cedar Valley Services board of directors at one time.

She is also very supporting to the business."

"We try to give something back to the community.

It has been good to us," Worlein pointed out. "There are a lot of good people here."

Paul Worlein presented the work and community output of their funeral home business in the manner of a conscientious and devout citizen who takes nothing for granted, but rather appreciates the loyalty of his family and staff. He is the professional who seems to know how to assist, greet and comfort survivors, and thus make their grief a little easier to bear.

Nini Johnson can be reached by e-mail at newsroom@austindailyherald.com