Austin resident awarded for decades of community service

Western Fraternal Life Association named Austin resident Louise Weber “Fraternalist of the Year” during a celebration in Austin this summer. WFLA Director Duane Jirik chose her for this national honor for her many years of community service for Lodge 38 Austin.

Weber has been a member for more than 80 years, starting when she was about 8. She has held many positions including trustee, treasurer and secretary. She also served for 25 years as a district officer, helping with numerous projects such as donating canned goods to the Salvation Army, a winter wear drive for the needy and various repurposed collections like pop tabs and medication bottles.

Weber strongly believes in mobilizing the generations and is a proponent of helping young people in pursuit of education. She was one of the founders of the WFLA Scholarship program and worked as a judge on the scholarship committee for decades.

“In summary, no one can outshine the depth of Louise’s accomplishments,” WFLA wrote in a release. “She is a living, breathing example — in fact, the epitome — of a lifetime of fraternalism.”