Pauline Louise Augsburger

Pauline Louise Augsburger was born on February 8, 1932 on a farm west of Monroe in French Township Indiana. Her father, Barthold Seesenguth, had immigrated from Germany and her mother, Elizabeth Egly was the seventh born child in a family of seventeen children. Elizabeth and Bert had three children - Ruth, Don, and Pauline who was the youngest. Pauline attended Cottonwood School, a one room schoolhouse, from first through eighth grade. She then went to Kirkland Township School for two years. Pauline was selected to attend a state competition for mathematics (her favorite subject) and graduated with honors from Berne French High School in Berne Indiana. Shortly after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Augsburger, whose grandfather had immigrated from Switzerland. The young couple had three sons - Terry, Randy and Ryan. They shared their early years as a family living in Berne Indiana, and moved to Fort Wayne in 1964.

A devoted “stay at home” mother, Pauline was the queen of her household - beloved by her boys. In her house, there was dessert for every meal and many of them were traditional German/Swiss delicacies.

Pauline lived her Christian faith in a quiet but assuring way to all those who knew her. She and Richard (Dick) were active and longtime members of Salem United Church of Christ in Fort Wayne. At age 50, after raising her children, Pauline obtained her associates degree in early childhood education. Pauline worked for East Wayne Head Start preschool program. With her encouraging and loving spirit, she influenced the lives of many children and families.

During retirement years, Pauline and Dick enjoyed traveling with their camper to Alaska and spent many years wintering in South Texas. Always trying to find a way to help others, Pauline and Dick became involved in training leader dogs for the blind. Pauline enjoyed quilting and her home was warmed and decorated with her handiwork.

Pauline leaves a legacy of love. There are many sweet memories and traditions, built through her loving care. Frosting Christmas cookies the day after Thanksgiving, picnics around the campfire in the backyard (complete with homemade ice cream) and reading books to her grandchildren are sweet memories we hold dear.

The greatest gift she and Dick gave to all of us was their example of devotion and love to each other throughout 75 years of married life. They truly knew how to “love one another” with unselfish commitment and dedication.

Pauline is survived by her loving husband of 75 years, Richard Augsburger, their three children: Terry (Debbie) Augsburger, Randy (Sharon) Augsburger and Ryan (Laura)Augsburger, eight grandchildren: Derek (Jessica) Augsburger, Jared (Angela) Augsburger, Kyle Augsburger, Elisabeth (Chad) Waldrop, Sara (Michael) Bartone, Nathan Augsburger, Christian Augsburger, and Katie Augsburger, and sixteen great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Bert Seesenguth, stepmother Florence Seesenguth, her sister, Ruth Mankey, her brother, Donald Seesenguth, and grandson David Augsburger.

Funeral service will be 4:00 pm Thursday, February 12, 2026, at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, IN, with visitation two hours prior. Private burial will be at M.R.E Cemetery, Berne, Ind.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind 1039 S. Rochester Rd Rochester Hills MI 48307.