West Freeman - The bluegrass and old country musicians in Heaven welcomed home another musician. Austin Marden joined their Heavenly "Pickin' Party" at the age of 79, on November 21, 2025. Born Austin Roy Marden, he was the only child of Aaron & Doris (Grover) Marden. He often said about being an only child "You can't improve on perfection." Austin walked many paths in life. Believe it or not, he was a certified CNA, working at the former Pinkham Home for the profoundly challenged. He also worked as a volunteer firefighter on the Strong Fire Department. He was a mill manager at the former Forester Toothpick Mill in Strong, a licensed boiler operator at IP, a bus driver who the kids loved, a janitor at the school and a truck driver hauling logs, gravel, hot top, propane and oil. The one job he liked the most was working for D W Small and Sons. He often remarked he couldn't wait to go to work. His biggest passion was his music, in which he was truly gifted, both in singing and playing. It began with a few guitar lessons in exchange for rides to work from the late Bob Cook. From there, it was electric bass, mandolin, fiddle (inherited from his great-great uncle), doghouse bass, banjo (which was given to him when the previous owner turned 100), 12 string guitar (thanks to Winfield Viles), lap dulcimer (also a gift), and finally the banjolele. If it had strings, he could play it. All were self-taught. On the 4th of July weekends, you'd find he and his wife, Elaine, at Pelletier's "Pickin' Party", pickin' and grinnin' and singing with bluegrass pickers from all over the US and Canada. It often lasted all day and far into the night. For 30 years, Austin and Elaine hosted their own pickin' parties every third Saturday from May through October. In July, it was all weekend long. It was at their July weekend in 1996 that Austin and Elaine were married, with many music friends attending. He and Elaine also had their own music group, A & E's Hill Country Music. They, with others, (Gary & Lois Hall, later Lew & Linda Lyman) along with Willie Dunham, played at churches, granges, nursing homes, Salem Community Building, country shows and various community events. Austin served in the US Army from 1965-1968. His son, Aaron recounts his service as his dad told it to him, "Dad spent 3 years in the Army as a signalman. There was such a critical shortage of communications soldiers in the Northwest that he spent his entire time on the surveillance operations during the Cold War with the US Army Alaska Defense Command and in Washington State, close to the Canadian border. Dad was proud to have served in Alaska, as his father before him served during WWII in the Aleutians in the Japanese campaign. Dad loved to tell of tracking down people from Grandpa's notes and hearing about his father from a native's own recollection. While in Alaska, Dad became one with the indigenous population. Dad learned all he could regarding their history, culture, tradition, and language. Dad's uncle, Sam O. White, was a pioneer in the bush pilot era. Dad spent a lot of time with Sam resupplying the various villages and outposts around Alaska by plane. Later in life Dad was known as "Oomigmak". "Oomigmak" is the Inupiaq name for the muskox, and it means "The Bearded One". Dad never had running water until he joined the Army. Dad loved to tell people about that being his first shower. Dad endlessly mentioned how the best part of being in the Army was working with people from all backgrounds and locations throughout the country in sometimes brutal conditions. He had some great people he served with and remembered them by name and hometowns for the rest of his life. Dad would flip through the photo albums and describe the salmon, animals, people and landmarks he marveled. Everyone could feel his enthusiasm and pride as he reminisced and remembered that experience from the past." He is an original member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Farmington Ward. He contributed labor and money toward the chapel expansion as it is now. He also served many callings. Austin was a 50+ year member of the Brotherhood of Masons. He was Past Master of the Davis Lodge of Strong; becoming a member of the Blue Mountain Lodge when Davis Lodge was re-consolidated with it. He often helped those seeking membership with their studies. Dean Olmstead can tell you about studying around a campfire at the lean-to, (another story). Austin will be deeply missed by his wife, Elaine (née Brackley); his sons, Vernon (Rebecca) and Aaron (Jennifer) and their children, Austin and Emily. He also leaves behind a large extended family; Melissa McGray (Peter); and Christopher Fitch (Rebecca); grandchildren, Samantha Brougham, Megan Cox, Michael Cox, Payton Fitch and Kevin Chrietian; great-grandchildren, Noah, Kara, Matthew, Elizabeth Brougham and Dominic and Niklaus Cox; and we can't forget Mike Crandal, who adopted him as Dad. If there are any Harleys in Heaven, he'll be riding one. You are loved, Austin Marden. A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 11:00 am at West Freeman Cemetery in Strong, Maine. A Celebration of Life, honoring Austin, will be held Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 2:00 pm located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 141 Woodfield Drive, formerly known as 141 Perham Heights, Farmington, Maine. Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott's Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.