Almita Marie Augustine, 91, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023. She was born on March 23, 1932, in Antonino, Kansas, to Philip and Mary (Herrman) Dreher.
She married Theodore Augustine on April 8, 1953, in Ellis, Kansas and together they owned and operated Ted Augustine Furniture west of Salina for many years. She was an active member of St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Salina, and after her retirement in 2002, she was a volunteer at Salina Regional Health Center.
Almita worked alongside her husband, Ted, and son, Dale, and daughter-in-law, Carol, and became a successful small business owner and investor. She loved to travel with family and friends and her favorite trips included gambling in Las Vegas with her sister, Thelma, and brother-in-law, Gene and going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans with her sister, Alice and the Orth family as well as going on numerous family vacations. She loved to travel abroad and acquired a famous collection of plates that showcased her journey. She loved to play cards with friends and played regularly up until the last month of her life. Almita loved to cook for family holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Each holiday had a traditional feast and highlighted a focus on family. Christmas eve at Grandma’s was a cherished tradition as were Easter egg hunts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Another family tradition was going out to eat after church on Sundays. Almita was committed to her faith and her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted; son, Dale; brothers, C.J. and Julius; and sisters, Dorothy Schmidt, Alice Orth, Thelma Karlin, and Darlene Leiker.
Survivors include her children, her daughter-in-law, Carol Augustine; Donna Augustine-Shaw (Mike); and Mark Augustine (Becky); grandchildren, Craig Augustine (Melissa), Jason Augustine (Jami), Cindy Wegerer (Matt), Quentin Shaw (Natalie), Kameron Shaw, Licia Shaw, Kate Augustine (Josh Tait), Rachel Tacha (Evan), Ted Augustine (Colleen), and Audrey Augustine; and great-grandchildren, Alexys, Adley, Abigail, Drake, Cali, Gunner, Isabella, Frances, Augustine, Aiden, and Jayson.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023, at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, with family present beginning at 5 p.m., and a rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, Salina, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in lieu of flowers, care of Ryan Mortuary.