Dewey Clifford Augenstein

Dewey Clifford Augenstein of Thornton, CO, passed away on June 9, 2015, at the age of 90. Dewey Clifford Augenstein was born on March 31, 1925 in Sidney, Nebraska to Ernest and Mina Augenstein. The only boy of four children, Dewey graduated from Sidney High School where he excelled at football and playing the clarinet. Dewey served in the US Army's 20th Field Artillery during World War II and landed in Utah Beach on D-Day. He came home early with a shrapnel wound which earned him a Purple Heart. After the war, he married Florene (Reenie) M. McCauley of Denver, Colorado on April 6, 1947. Dewey graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After a short period of working for 3M in Minnesota where his daughter Carol was born, Dewey moved his small family to Denver where he was employed by Shell Chemical on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. His family grew with the birth of David and Daniel. The family bought a house in the new suburb of Thornton where Dewey and Reenie lived for the next 60 years. After Reenie's death, Dewey moved to Westminster and made his home for his final five years at Covenant Village. Dewey passed away gently on the morning of June 9, 2015 surrounded by many of his family members. Dewey was passionate about many things. Sports! He was a Bronco season ticket holder but could also be found happily watching TV tuned to any sport played by anybody, anywhere. Cards! Even as a youngster, Dewey was playing cards with his parents. If his mother's canasta group was missing a lady, ""Cliff"" was called in to fill the spot. Through the war and even during lunch breaks at Shell, Dewey could be found playing pitch or cribbage. He loved Bridge and other family card games. A typical Saturday evening growing up at the Augensteins' was often spent around the table with other family and friends playing ""Oh Hell"" or Pitch. Fishing, camping, and hunting! Dewey was an avid angler. He loved pulling up his waders early in the morning and moving up the stream casting his line for hungry trout. However, he did not like to eat them and considered it a chore to sit down later for pan fried trout which all of his family relished. Square dancing! Dewey and Reenie fell madly in love with square dancing as much for the music and dance as for the wonderful chance to spend time with close family members and friends who all took up the passion. Dewey even became a square dance caller and hosted small squares in his garage. Decorating his home for Christmas! When Dewey's garage was not swinging with country dance tunes, it was a shop for the crafting of Christmas decorations. Dewey and many of his neighbors on Ellen Court in Thornton were known for their block of Christmas lights. His crafts also included his love for making wooden puzzles, doll houses, and stained glass windows. Traveling! Dewey and Reenie loved to travel. They were members of the Denver travel club ""Ports of Call"" and took chartered flights all over the world to places as far away as Hong Kong and Europe. Sharing about D-Day! As World War II veterans began to pass away in larger and larger numbers, Dewey became involved in sharing his memories of the war years with others at Regis University and local high schools. He was active in his 20th Field Artillery Reunion group and acted as treasurer and organizer for many of their reunions. Dewey is survived by his daughter, Carol Gaumond (Steve) of Lafayette, Colorado, his son, David Augenstein (Paloma Pattis) of Seattle, Washington, and his son, Daniel Augenstein (Deborah) of Greeley, Colorado. Dewey was loved by 7 grandchildren Gwen Martella (Brian), Gail Pyle (Jason), Sarah Burnett (Travis Krause), Jacob Augenstein (Vanessa), Justin Augenstein (Aubrey), Emily Watrous (Jake), and Lukas Augenstein. He was proud of his eleven ""greats"" as he called his great-grandchildren. Dewey is also survived by his sister, Betty Knight of Colorado Springs, and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Dewey's life will be celebrated at a Memorial Service and reception at the Horan McConaty Family Chapel at 9998 Grant Street in Thornton, Colorado on July 2, 2015 at 10:30am. His cremains will join Reenie's at Fort Logan National Cemetery in a small family service, yet to be scheduled. For the residents and staff at Covenant Village, a small memorial service will be held at Covenant Village, Aspen Place, on June 24th at 10:00 am. Please share memories of Dewey and condolences with his family by leaving a message in the guestbook.