Kaufman, Anna Goering (1877-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Apr 23 p. 8, 10

Birth date: 1877 Mar 23

text of obituary:

ANNA GOERING KAUFMAN

Our mother, Anna Goering Kaufman, eldest daughter of Peter P. and Mary Goering, was born March 23, 1877, near Moundridge, Kansas.

In her early youth she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized by Elder Jacob Stucky. She remained a faithful member of the Hopefield Mennonite Church until her death. Although her educational opportunities were limited, she found joy and comfort reading God’s word and memorizing songs and Holy Scriptures.

On Sept. 5, 1895, she was united in marriage with Jacob P. Kaufman, and they shared the joys and sorrows of life for more than 63 years. This marriage was blessed with 11 children. Benny, at the age of 11, and seven grandchildren preceded her in death.

The family was privileged to celebrate with their parents their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries. Family fellowship with her children and grandchildren was one of her joys. They spent the first 20 years on a farm near Moundridge, Kansas, and in 1915 moved to a farm near McPherson where they continued farming until 1944. After many years of hard work they retired and moved to McPherson.

Our mother was kind and loving and showed us the true way of life by loving and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. A picture we will always treasure is seeing mother and dad singing some of their favorite hymns.

About two years ago she became ill and the last six months of her life her intense physical suffering led her through the valley of real trials, but she kept her faith in her Savior in the hope of seeing Him some day. The last few weeks of her life were spent at Bethel Deaconess Hospital, where she received the best medical care. In November mother was specially comforted when her eldest daughter, Martha; who is a nurse, came home from her duties in Germany and lovingly devoted all of her time and strength at her bedside.

On April 5, 1959, at 4:00 o’clock in the morning her Heavenly Master called her home. We weep at the sorrow that has befallen us, but rejoice to know that she is in the presence of the Lord. She reached the age of 82 years and 13 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure her husband: six sons, Pete of Kingman, Jake of Newton, Ed of Redwood City, Calif., Bert, Alfred and Elmer of McPherson; four daughters: Martha, Ann (Mrs. Eli Koehn), Mrs. Elda Goering, all of McPherson, Evelyn (Mrs. Walter Goering) of Moundridge; two sons-in-law; six daughters-in-law; 15 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Other survivors include her sisters, Mrs. P. R. Stucky, Mrs. Joe Schrag, Mrs. Dan Kaufman and Mrs. J. P. Stuckey; her brothers: John, Ed, Jake and Peter Goering, other relatives and friends.

The memorial service conducted by Rev. H. B. Schmidt and Rev. P. A. Wedel on April 7, 1959, at two o’clock, from the Hopefield Mennonite Church. The resting place, the Hopefield cemetery. – The Family.