Erika Ann Austin, 33, passed away from cancer at her home in Fort Peck, Montana in the early morning hours of Friday, July 24, 2026, surrounded by family and pets she loved.

A celebration of life will take place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Glasgow Elks Lodge at 4:00 p.m. Erika’s wishes were not to have a funeral but to have a party in her honor. A private burial will take place at Glasgow Highland Cemetery with close friends and family.

Erika was born on January 19, 1993, in Glasgow, Montana to her parents Kory and Kerry Hentges. Erika dated Dustin Braaten the love of her life where they made a home together in Fort Peck, Montana. Erika also became a part of the Braaten family, Norm and Stacy. Erika loved her pets: Tag, Frankie, Chandler, and Dani.

Erika attended grade school in Glasgow, Montana and then the family moved to Billings, Montana. Erika was involved in cross-country, volleyball, and basketball while in Billings. The family moved back to Glasgow where Erika graduated from in 2011 with high honors and was a Glasgow Scottie cheerleader for three years and golf for one year. Erika then attended college at MSUB Billings with a BS degree in accounting in 2014. Erika went on to get her master’s degree from Maryville University in accounting in 2021. While in Billings Erika took part in the TRIO Upward Bound program through MSUB where she found her love for learning and travel.

She worked hard and was proud of her work, she was employed at CHMS. P.C., Northwest Farm Credit Services, United Insurance & Realty, and her most rewarding job was when she lived in Bismarck North Dakota and worked for the State of North Dakota. Erika had earned many achievements throughout her career. Erika loved working with numbers and people.

Erika loved her family, friends, pets and being outdoors: fishing, hunting, the water and her Jeep Wrangler. She was always up to having a good time and laughing with friends and family and sharing memories and experiences with them. She enjoyed art and crafts, decorating, puzzles, reading, and playing games on her phone. Erika loved to travel and was always trying something new, she could be found going to the zoo, parks, museums, and baseball games. She also had a love for tattoos and was always willing to get matching ones with family and friends. Erika was the best big sister to her siblings; she was always there to support and spend time with them.

Proceeding in her death were her grandparents Jerry and Clara Rasmusan, and Edward and Barbara Hentges. She is survived by her parents, Kory and Kerry Hentges; boyfriend, Dustin Braaten; Dustin’s parents, Norm and Stacy Braaten; brother, Travis (Jacie) Austin; sister, Paige (Brandon) Brostrom; brother Jake (Sandy) Hentges; sister, Krista (Tyler Humphreys) Hentges; brother, Nate Hentges; Marisa (Walker) Collins; nephews: Hudson Baldwin and Kelyo Collins; nieces: Haleigh Baldwin, Hazelee Baldwin, and Lena Jean Hentges; aunts and uncles: JR (Dawna) Rasmusan, Larry Rasmusan, Terry (Mandy) Rasmusan, Kip, Karen, Kae, Ken, Kevin, Kyle, Klint, and Kristi (Randy) Barnett and numerous cousins, close friends and friends who took Erika in as their own.

Erika was a fighter, she never complained, she was the most loving, caring, supportive, courageous, brave, and strong warrior with her battle with cancer. She never gave up hope. Her last wish was to see the beach, and we appreciate Dustin for making that happen for her.

The family extends gratitude to the staff at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, Dr. Ross, Dr. Knierim, Erika’s second floor FMDH family: Jenni Sillerud, Heather Fox, Lesile Simenson, Krista Nickels, and Janet Overvold. We would also like to thank Sanford Medical Center, Standford cancer center in Bismarck North Dakota, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Just saying thank you doesn’t seem enough. We hope you know how much your thoughtfulness is appreciated. To the community of Glasgow, friends, and family thank you for your generosity when Erika needed it the most you came through. You have a wonderful heart and are more generous then we deserve. It made the long battle of cancer worth her fight.