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Kaufman, Chris T. (1897-1952)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 2 p. 1
Birth date: 1897 Jun 21
text of obituary:
ACCIDENT NEAR FREEMAN, S. D. CLAIMS LIFE OF CHRIS T. KAUFMAN
Freeman, S. D. — More than 1,000 persons attended funeral services at the Salem Mennonite church here Friday, Sept. 26, for Chris T. Kaufman, 55, who was instantly killed Wednesday evening when a truck hit his tractor on Highway 81 south of Freeman. The services were in charge of Rev. Ronald von Riesen.
Reports of the accident stated that Mr. Kaufman, who farmed southeast of Freeman, was driving to town when his tractor was struck from the rear by a truck shortly after 7:00 o’clock. The tractor overturned, killing him instantly.
He is survived by his wife, Adeline, and three children, Orvis, 15, Iris 14 and Elroy 12; his aged mother, Mrs. Tom Kaufman, 84; his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Preheim; five brothers, Leon, Bernard, George, and Tom, all of Freeman, and his twin, John of Marion; and five sisters, Mrs. Henry Ries, Mrs. Conrad Enders, Katherine and Otillia, all of Freeman, and Mrs. Henry Waltner, Hurley.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Oct 16 p. 5
text of obituary:
CHRIS T. KAUFMAN
Chris T. Kaufman, son of Tobias and Freni Schrag Kaufman, was born June 21, 1897, on a farm south of Marion, S. D., where he also grew up to manhood. It was here that he was taught the Christian principles of life, and as a result was baptized by the Rev. Christian Hege in 1916, and received as a member into the Salem Mennonite church.
He graduated from Freeman Junior college, Yankton college, and studied one term at the Columbia university. This education was interrupted by several years of teaching. In 1921 he had the rare privilege of going to Germany with a ship load of dairy cows that were sent as a relief project sponsored by different churches. This opportunity gave him the educational advantages of travel in seven European countries.
October 8, 1935, he was united in holy matrimony with Adeline Preheim. They made farming their occupation. Together they enjoyed various hobbies, and as a result acquired many Indian relics and an outstanding stamp collection. He had varied talents and several projects, which were suddenly interrupted, and remain unfinished. Chris loved classical music, and was especially fond of nature and birds, often turning out his plow to avoid destroying a bird nest. He also had an active interest in the development of the community and was always willing to give of his time for the school and church.
During his short span of life, Chris always enjoyed good health until the Lord saw fit to take him home through an accident on Highway 81 near Freeman on September 24, at the age of 55 years, three months and three days. He leaves to mourn his early departure, his deeply bereaved wife and three children, Orvis, Iris and Elrod; his aged mother, Mrs. Tom Kaufman, Sr.; his father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Preheim; five brothers, Leon, Bernhard, John (his twin brother), George and Tom; five sisters, Amelia (Mrs. Henry Ries), Katherine, Amanda (Mrs. Harry Waltner), Alda (Mrs. Konrad Enders) and Otillia; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Leon Kaufman, Mrs. Albert Kaufman and Mrs. Bernhard Kaufman; three brothers-in-law, Henry Ries, Harry Waltner and Konrad Enders, besides a host of relatives and friends. His father, three sisters and one brother preceded him in death. — The Family.
