Kaufman, Edna Ramseyer (1910-2001)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2001 Aug 9 p. 11

Birth date: 1910 Jan 18

text of obituary:

Former home economics prof. at Bethel and Bluffton dies

HESSTON, Kan.—Edna Ramseyer Kaufman, 91, a former professor at Bluffton and Bethel colleges, died Aug. 5 at Schowalter Villa.

She was a professor of home economics and dean of women at Bluffton (Ohio) College and head of the home economics department from 1936 to 1965. She taught the entire home economics curriculum, advised international students and was dining room hostess.

In 1958, she planned and built Mary Alva House, designed as a home management house for home economics students. She deeded the house to Bluffton College in 1959. The house, renovated over the years through her support, continues as a laboratory for family and consumer science majors.

She was professor of home economics at Bethel College in North Newton from 1967 to 1975. She also was dean of women, 1968-69; counselor to students, 1969-70; and taught half-time at Hesston College, 1970-71.

She revitalized the Bethel College Women's Association, chaired the Faculty Welfare Committee and helped make campus social events like Fall Festival and Christmas Fest successful.

After her retirement, she continued to prepare and serve breads and desserts for faculty-staff coffees. "You could smell the bread baking when you entered the building," Bethel President Doug Penner said. "And she would always provide the recipe."

She wrote a column, "Homemaker's Notebook," in Mennonite Weekly Review from 1981 to 1990.

She was born Jan. 18, 1910, to Alvin C. and Mary (Schrock) Ramseyer in Wayne County, Ohio. She was a dietician and supervisor of the Spanish refugee colony in Marseilles, France, in 1940, and taught at Cross Roads Africa in Gabon in 1962.

She married Edmund G. Kaufman, president of Bethel from 1932 to 1952, on June 10, 1965, in Smithville, Ohio. They spent two years in India. He preceded her in death Feb. 19, 1980.

She received a bachelor of science degree from Bluffton and a doctorate in home economics from Ohio State University.

She was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church.

Survivors include a stepson, Gordon of Cambridge, Mass.; two brothers, Alvin Ramseyer and Arden Ramseyer, both of Smithville; four sisters, Erma Johnson of Burrton, Ohio, Esther Miller of Mission, Texas, and Frances Gundy and Phyllis Miller, both of Goshen, Ind.; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Karolyn Zerger, and two sisters, Irene Musser and Mary Kay Gerig.