Marion (Clennon) Ashton, 95, of Austin, Minnesota, died Wednesday Dec. 28, 2016.

Marion Ashton was born Sept. 29, 1921, in Austin to Arthur and Vada (Smith) Clennon. Marion’s mother died in 1928 and her father in 1939. Marion graduated from Austin High School in 1940 and was employed at George A. Hormel Foods Corp. from 1941 to 1982. She married Donald Ashton on June 21, 1947. Donald passed away in 1991.

Marion was the oldest of her family and was very protective of them. She liked to work with her flowers and do crossword puzzles and made many afghans for her friends and family.

Marion had many fond memories of her grandparents, Guy and Ann Smith, who were always there for her and her siblings. She loved spending time with her family and traveling to Hawaii and Acapulco, Mexico.

Marion is survived by her brothers, Eugene Clennon of Austin and Martin Clennon of Florida; sisters, Gwenith Chain and Erma Anderson of California.

Marion is preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, step-mother, grandparents, brothers Arthur J. and Delbert, sister Beverly Sheldy, and sister-in-law, Donna Clennon.

Although she never had children of her own, she was the guiding light for her siblings, nieces and nephews by giving love and setting an example of how to be the best you can be. She was a very kind, loving, generous woman and will always be remembered as so.

To us she was someone special

Someone set apart,

Her memory will live forever,

Engraved within our hearts.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan.  2, 2017, at Mayer Funeral Home, Austin, Minnesota, with Pastor Elizabeth Endicott officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Interment immediately following the service at Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.