Bieren

Austin Leo Bieren, 25, died on March 28, 2017, in Syria.

He was born on January 7, 1992, in Pendleton, Oregon, to John Timothy Bieren and Tracy Ann (Gibson) Finck. Austin attended and graduated from Umatilla High School in 2010.

Austin loved to hunt, fish, and hunt some more. He enjoyed anything and everything outdoors, the true definition of a mountain man. He avidly worked out and did everything to stay healthy and active.

He joined the Air Force right out of high school in November 2010. After basic training, he married his wife, Rachel (Kennedy) Bieren, and they both moved to Minot, North Dakota, and were there for three years, and then moved to Colorado Springs where Austin worked at Peterson AFB. He was deployed three times. Bieren’s awards include the Aerial Achievement Medal with one device; Air Force Achievement Medal with two devices; Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one device; National Defense Service Medal; Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one device; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal; Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border; Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with one device; Air Force Longevity Service; U.S. Air Force NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one device; and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Thomas Keith Bieren, and his grandmother, Susan Gibson.

Austin is survived by his wife, Rachel Bieren; mother Tracy Finck; stepfather Jody Finck; father JT Bieren; stepmother Amber Bieren; sister Brianne Bieren; nephew Jaren Journot; grandparents on both sides; and his aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Rachel will be setting up a memorial fund in Austin’s honor. The funds will be used to make special gifts for Austin’s many military friends in remembrance of Austin. The fund is located at any US Bank, “Austin Bieren Memorial Fund.”

There will be a hometown service in Umatilla, Oregon, located at the Umatilla High School on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.

Arrangements by: The Springs Funeral Services, Colorado Springs, Colorado, www.tsfs.co