Kauffman, Anna (1885-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Nov 15 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Jun 13

text of obituary:

ANNA KAUFFMAN

Anna Kauffman, daughter of Jacob and Lena (Lehman) Kauffman, was born June 13, 1885, in Elkhart County, Ind. On Oct. 18, 1956, she departed to a better life at the McPherson, Kan. Hospital.

When she was about three years old the family moved to Harvey County, Kan. A year later they moved to Cass co., Mo., where she grew up and lived most of her life. In 1890 her father died. After the older brothers and sister married, she continued to live with her mother and younger sister in their old home near Sycamore Grove church.

Although she never married, she helped care for several nieces and nephews. When a sister-in-law passed away and left a small daughter, she was cared for in this home for a year till her father married again. In 1917 another brother's wife left three children ages 5, 8, 10. They spent four years in their grandmother's home. Always Anna was a second mater to them. For a while after their mother's death she kept them in their own home.

Theirs was an old-fashioned home that is not seen much any more. Cows, chickens, berries, and fruit of all kinds furnished money for necessities, as well as supplying food for the table. An orchard gave of its abundance.

One of the keepsakes was a large copper kettle that the family had used to make real old-fashioed [sic] apple butter. Often in spring they made maple sugar from the large trees around the house. Many people remember them for the luscious black raspberries they raised.

But all of life was not work, for afternoons were often spent in more leisurely activities, such as sewing and crocheting, or just plain resting. Promptly at four o'clock on hot summer days, someone prepared a cool drink from the never-failing well on the front porch. After chores and supper, the evening was spent in the garden and flower bed. They could raise flowers that many people cannot grow.

In 1923 Anna's mother died. in December1946 the sisters left their old home because of Anna's ill health. They since made their home with their sister, Lizzie. Surviving are the two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Slabauch [sic Slabach] and Ella Kauffman of McPherson, a brother Adam of Ellinwood, one sister-in-law, about twenty nieces and nephews, a large number of great nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. A brother, Chris, passed away near Garden City, Mo., in March of this year.

Early in life Anna gave her life to her Saviour and was baptized at the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church, where she retained her membership till a few years before her death. She then transferred to the West liberty Mennonite Church near McPherson, Kan. while she was in the hospital she gave her testimony to her pastor that she was ready to meet her Lord.

Funeral services were conducted at the West Liberty church on Sunday, Oct. 21, 1956, by her pastor, M. M. Troyer, and Earl Buckwalter. She was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church. She was 71 years, four months and five days old.