Kaufman, Benjamin J. (1885-1937)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1937 Mar 2 p. 14

Birth date: 1885

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Feb 24 p. 2

text of obituary:

Benjamin J. Kaufman

Benjamin J. Kaufman, son of Jacob P. and Katherine Schrag Kaufman, was born Dec. 10, 1885, on a farm southwest of Marion, S. D., and died at his home near Marion, S. D., on Febr. 12, 1937.

In his childhood days he had the misfortune to lose a foot in a mowing machine, which, however, did not hinder him from bravely striving to be of service to God and his fellowman.

Being baptized upon his confession of faith by Rev. c. Kaufman on May 22, 1904, he became a faithful member of the Salem-Zion Mennonite church, which he served as teacher, S. S. superintendent and deacon.

His education he received in the country school of his community, Freeman College, Bethel College, Presbyterian College of Dubuque, Ia., and the University of South Dakota, at Vermillion.

He was married to Miss Lydia Schmidt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Schmidt. He has served in the teaching profession in Freeman Junior College from 1910-1917. Three years of this term he served as principal. then he served in this capacity also in the Marion high school and other schools. For two terms he served as county superintendent. Twenty years of his life he dedicated to educational work.

In 1929 he moved to the farm to seek for himself and his family a more quiet and permanent home. His was an ambitious career to give his best to his own and others and provide for his family a noble Christian example.

Following a lingering decline in his health since last spring, he submitted to a major operation toward the last of August. His recovery was only temporary. In December he learned that cancer had developed and that at best only a few months were left for him to live. With courage and fortitude he at once prepared to order his life and affairs for his family that he might leave them without an undue burden of care. To the minutest detail he had prepared his departure and the closing record of his l9ife. His testimony was that, though he would rewrite some chapters of the record of his life, he knew it was covered with the blood of Christ his Savior. — He urged however, that young people in particular might be made conscious that with each day they write the record of their lives with which they will be faced in the presence of a holy and righteous God. [Note: two lines in reversed order in the original]

He leaves to mourn his early departure, his wife, a daughter and her husband, two sons, his aged mother, two brothers, four sisters, and many relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held on Feb. 14 in charge of his pastor. Rev. Alfred P. Waltner and Rev. John J. Schrag brought messages of comfort to the bereft family and to the many friends who had assembled in the Salem-Zion church to pay respect to him whom they had loved.

The Mennonite obituary: 1937 Mar 2 p. 14