Paulette Augustine

“Forever your teacher, Mrs. A.” That salutation has been on countless graduation cards, letters, notes, etc., during Paulette Augustine’s lifetime of education involvement. Paulette Allison (Philipp) Augustine was born November 4, 1951, in Thief River Falls, MN to Vernon and Yvonne (Mead) Philipp. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1501 Lipper Ave. Higginsville, MO 64037. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the church with Rev. Kurt Brandon officiating. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. Flowers and plants are welcome as are memorials made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in her memory. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, and father, Vernon Philipp. She is survived by her loving family, including husband, Daryl Augustine of the home; mother, Yvonne Philipp of Thief River Falls, MN; children, Derek (Susan) Augustine of Ocean Springs, MS, and Dana (Randy) Shafer of Blue Springs, MO; five grandchildren, Kayla Augustine of Ft. Collins, CO, Gracie Augustine of Birmingham, AL, Brenden Shafer of Blue Springs, MO, Adam Augustine of Eau Claire, WI, and Allison Shafer of Blue Springs, MO; three brothers, David “Joe” (Sue) Philipp of rural Goodridge, MN, Dale (Wendy) Philipp and Mike (Becky) Philipp both of rural Thief River Falls, MN; several aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Paulette grew up on a grain farm in Grand Plain Township of Marshall County, MN. Her lifelong education trek began in a one room, country schoolhouse near their family farm. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls in 1969. During her high school years, she was very active in the school’s fine arts programs. She had leading roles singing and acting in the school’s annual operetta productions. Also, during her elementary and high school years, Paulette was very active in her church’s Luther League youth group and 4-H on both local and state levels. After graduation, Paulette attended one year at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN. On September 5, 1970, she married Daryl Augustine, also of rural Thief River Falls. They made their first home in Minneapolis, MN, where Daryl had one year left to attain his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Minnesota. During their early years of marriage, Paulette worked and gained additional undergraduate hours at the University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin River Falls, as time permitted. When a career move for Daryl brought the family to Higginsville, MO in 1984, Paulette attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in English and a Minor in Theatre. She began teaching at Lafayette County C-1 in Higginsville, in 1987. She later received a Master of Science in Education degree with emphasis in curriculum and instruction from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. Her education did not stop with the MS degree. She had additional graduate hours from five colleges and universities. During her tenure at Lafayette County C-1, she taught English in the junior high and high school, and adult English courses at Wentworth Junior College in Lexington, MO, and Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. Much of Paulette’s professional teaching journey experiences took her beyond the classroom. She attained certification as a Senior Screener for Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome from the Irlen Institute. She was a grader for McGraw Hill of Missouri Assessment Process, Sacramento, CA. She was an American Field Service Teaching Volunteer for one summer teaching English as a second language in Tianjin and Beijing, People's Republic of China. In addition, she was an Exchange Teacher Mentor for Chinese Exchange Teachers; Love and Logic Parent Education Facilitator; and Peer Helper Facilitator for Students for 20 years. Following her retirement from Lafayette County C-1, Paulette’s teaching journey continued at the Atchison Kansas School District 409 Alternative School where she taught English to grades 7 - 12. She taught 7 years there, retiring again in 2017. She was named Teacher of The Year of USD 409 in 2016. During this time Paulette published a book, “Good Kids Write,” a compilation of stories, poems and essays written by her students. Paulette was always active in her church throughout her life. During her adult life she served many years as a Sunday school teacher. In the past years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Higginsville, she was a member of the Ruth Circle; was Sunday school superintendent; youth group leader; served on the Parish Board of Directors and the Immanuel Lutheran School Board. Over the years Paulette received many honors and recognition for teaching and community involvement. Some include being selected as the Higginsville Chamber of Commerce individual of the year, 2007; Founder/Sponsor of the award-winning Higginsville Youth Directing Realistic Opportunities (HYDRO); Optimist International Outstanding Educator, Higginsville Chapter; national award-winning Husker Blue Knights color guard coach (1990-1999); Sally Mae Missouri Outstanding First Year Teacher (1988); and the Silver Clover 4-H leadership award for 25 years of service. Paulette was a gifted published writer. She wrote several articles for newspapers and NEA publications. She wrote, produced, and published a children’s musical, “The All-American Kid Contest” in 1992. She wrote Sacred Music Texts, edited several published books and short stories, and enjoyed writing and teaching poetry. Paulette loved the theatre and teaching acting, especially to young aspiring actors. She founded and directed the Higginsville Children’s Theatre Company from 1989-2001. She trained in Ballet, Tai Chi, martial arts, professional clowning, and studied mime and theatre while living in Minneapolis, MN. The most important part of Paulette’s life journey was time spent with her family and friends. She especially loved time with her grandchildren and each year’s “Grammie Camp,” which was a week-long trip in the motorhome with five grandchildren, Grammie and Papa Do (Daryl). These trips were generally in the mid states of the US, all planned, with daily schedules and curriculums created by Paulette! Paulette also enjoyed the annual reunion trips with the five teachers she taught with in China. Treasured trips were always those “up north,” home to Minnesota and Wisconsin, to visit with family and friends. Perhaps the part of Paulette’s life educational journey she enjoyed the most was seeing her students grow into successful adults, and loving parents. She especially enjoyed seeing the children of students she taught, or when former students would just stop by to chat. She thoroughly enjoyed when former students would contact her for “grammar advice,” or editing on a college paper, special letter, resume’, book manuscript, etc. Paulette would always sign off on her letters in a way that let us all know she loved us! So today, she will sign until we meet again… Love: PA, Mom, G, and “Forever Your Teacher, Mrs. A.”

Paulette Augustine

November 4, 1951 - May 10, 2023