Kristy (Kris) Lynn VanAken Austin

Kristy (Kris) VanAken Austin, DVM of Bella Vista, Ark., joined Jesus in the heavenly realm of December 9, 2022. She finally received healing from her long illness. Kris was born in 1969 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and grew up in Tulsa, Okla. She graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. She worked as a veterinarian and clinic owner in Joplin, Mo., and Bentonville, Ark., during her career. Kris married Kelly Austin in 1997. She is survived by Kelly of Bella Vista, Ark.; son, Taylor Austin and girlfriend, Abby Hagner of Fayetteville, Ark.; daughter, Kate Austin of the home; parents, Doug and Marty VanAken of Bella Vista, Ark.; sister, Tammy (Richard) Mentzer of Yates Center, Kan.; and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Kris was a member of Mosaic Church at Fellowship Bible Church in Rogers, Ark. A memorial service will be held on the Fellowship Campus at 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., Rogers, Ark., on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 2 p.m. The family will receive visitors after the service. The family will hold an internment service for her cremains at Lebanon Cemetery in McRae, Ark., at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Christian Veterinary Mission, P.O. Box 5888, Lynnwood, Wash., 98046 (cvm.org) or Mew Cat Rescue, P.O. Box 2311, Bentonville, Ark., 72712. Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.