Richard Augustine

Richard Frederick Augustine, 91, formerly of Monona, IA, passed away on Oct 1, 2025 at Cedar Community in West Bend, WI. Richard had four children; son John (Jenny) Augustine of Milwaukee, WI, daughter Brenda (Mark) Gabriel of River Falls, WI, daughter Linda (David) Bures of Dubuque, IA, and son Lee Augustine of Pewaukee, WI; twelve grandchildren: Jacob (Amy) Augustine, Jonathan Augustine, Jackie (Dan) Schmidt, Emily (Levi) Myers, Ben Gabriel, Isaac Gabriel, Amy (Bill) Less, Andrea (Chad) Anderegg, Josh (Hilary) Anderegg, Kyle (Rachel) Augustine, Kari (Wes) Lawson, and Kaja Augustine; and 14 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, parents, brother Robert, and granddaughter Amy.

Richard was the youngest of two boys, born on March 26, 1934, to William and Charlotte (Mastuen) Augustine, in Orfordville, WI, living his early life amongst his Norwegian relatives. After his mother’s death, he moved with his father to the County Hospital in Elkhorn where his father was employed as a carpenter and Richard a farm hand while finishing school. There Richard learned to farm, and enjoyed showing cattle at both the Walworth County fair and the Wisconsin State Fair where he won Grand Champion. He experienced family in a new and caring way through the people he lived and worked with during that time.

Richard attended country school through 7th grade. In high school, Richard played baseball and football and was junior class president. He was well liked by classmates and became Homecoming king his senior year. Richard graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1952 and served the next 3 years with the Marine Corps in both Korea and Japan. After a couple of years at UW-Madison in the engineering department, Richard moved back to southeastern Wisconsin and met Mary Lou at a dance class.

Mary Lou and Richard were united in marriage June 14, 1958 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Farmersburg, IA, and began farming on the same land where Mary Lou grew up. They became the parents of 4 children in just under 5 years. In 1965, they purchased an 80 acre farm outside of Monona, IA where they lived for 53 years. Daily life for Richard included running his own business, Augustine Electric, managing the farm, attending sporting and musical events of his children and grandchildren, and building community with friends and neighbors. He was well-known for always having a good story.

Richard loved the 25 winters he spent in Arizona with Mary Lou, enjoying hiking, square dancing, card playing, morning coffee with other Midwestern farmers, serving as president of the condominium board, and sharing life and stories with people in the community of Desert Sun Condominiums.

Family was always important to Richard. From raising his own to discovering his roots, people mattered. In the quest to find out more of his heritage, Dick and Mary Lou explored Norway with Audrey & Ken. Other trips took them to Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. The couple also made great efforts to travel to most anywhere their kids and grandkids had events going on.

Richard was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He was loving and deeply loved.

A memorial service will be held at the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home in Monona, IA on Oct 11, 2025, at 2pm. Visitation will precede the service from 12:00 to 2pm. Inurnment will follow at the National cemetery, Clayton County, IA after the service. Details regarding a time of fellowship after will be shared at the service.