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Kauffman, Karen Joan (1942-1964)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Nov 12 p. 3
Birth date: 1942 Jun 10
text of obituary:
Three Crossing Accidents, One-Car Crash Claim Lives of Five
Four separate accidents in as many states, three of them at railroad crossings, have claimed the lives of five persons according to reports reaching the Review during the past week.
Early last Sunday morning a car driven by Douglas Paul Stucky, 18 of Wichita crashed into a Rock Island freight train at a fog-shrouded crossing on a K-15 detour south of Lehigh, Kan. He died a short time later.
The youth, a freshman at Wichita State University, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mose Stucky. His father is a teacher at Wichita Heights High School. Memorial services were held Tuesday forenoon at the Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita.
Canby, Ore. — Double funeral services were held at the Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, on Oct. 24 for Carolyn Irene Kauffman, 25, and her sister Karen Joan, 22, who lost their lives Oct. 21, when a logging train hit their light auto at a crossing south of Rickreall.
The young women, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Kauffman, were living and working in Salem while also attending the Oregon College of Education, Monmouth. They were employed at the Salem General Hospital.
Surviving in addition to the parents are five brothers and three sisters.
Mt. Lake, Minn. — Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite Church north of Butterfield on Nov. 2 for Harry Sawatzky, 44, farmer of the St. James community who was killed when his car crashed into a Northwestern Railway engine in St. James.
Mr. Sawatzky, who was unmarried, operated the home farm where he was born and raised. He is survived by his father, Jacob Sawazky of St. Jams, two sisters and three brothers.
Goshen, Ind. — Dense fog was blamed in the one-car crash claimed the life of Melvin Ray Troyer, 17, early last Friday morning northeast of Middlebury..
The young man was enroute to work at Shipshewana and was only a few miles from home when his car left the road and hit an embankment at the county line where there is a sharp “jog” in the road.
Funeral services were to be held Monday at the Pleasant Grove Conservative Church, of which he was a member. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Susie Troyer Helmuth, and step-father, Isaac Helmuth, and a number of brothers and sisters.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 Dec 24 p. 11
text of obituary:
CAROLYN IRENE KAUFFMAN
KAREN JOAN KAUFFMAN
Carolyn Irene Kauffman was born at Canby, Ore. on Oct. 13, 1939, Karen Joan Kauffman was born on June 10, 1942 at Twin Falls, Ida. Both of the girls at a tender age gave their lives to Jesus as Saviour and Lord. They were baptized upon their confession of faith at the Indian Cove Mennonite Church, Hammett, Ida.
Graduated from the Glenns Ferry High School in Idaho in May of 1961. These sisters moved with their family in the Hubbard, Ore. community in May 1961. On Good Friday evening of 1962 Carolyn and Karen were accepted by transfer of letter into the Zion congregation. That evening they gave their testimony by word of song.
Their lives were marked by an evident concern for others. This can be seen in their choice of life work, for both of them were licensed practical nurses, employed at Salem General Hospital. Both gave much time in Sunday school and Bible school programs at the church. Music was of special interest to them, and through this part of the church's life, they gave their witness. They were attending college at Oregon College of Education to better prepare themselves for God's work in their lives.
Returning to their apartment in Salem from college on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, following a morning of classes, for some unknown but yet providential reason their car collided with a train south of Rickreall, Ore. As a result both Karen and Carolyn were called home to be with their Lord. Carolyn reached the age of 25 years and eight days and Karen was 22 years, four months and 10 days.
They are survived by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Kauffman; five brothers, Pete of Colton, Ore., Arden and Kenneth, both of Portland, Howard and Wilbur, both living at home; three sisters, Eileen of Fort Collins, Colo., Margaret of Salem, Ore. and Vesta living at home; and their grandmother, Mrs. O. W. King of Hubbard, Ore
