Kaufman, Joseph D. (1896-1964)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1964 May 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1896 Aug 13

text of obituary:

JOE D. KAUFMAN

Joseph D. Kaufman, son of Daniel and Anna (Schrag) Kaufman, was born Aug. 13, 1896 near Marion, S. D., and passed on to his eternal reward on April 13, 1964 at 3:30 p.m. He attained the age of 67 years and eight months.

After attending country school and receiving an elementary education, he began to farm. In his younger years he did a great amount of custom work for neighbors and people of the community. For a time he also had a small hatchery on the farm where he lived. He remained a farmer all his life, although for the past 12 years his activities became progressively less due to failing health. He was born, lived, and died in the same farm home, which had belonged to his parents before him.

On July 12, 1914, he was baptized upon confession of faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord and became a member of the Salem-Zion Mennonite Church. Although he was unable to attend services in recent years, he remained a faithful member until his death. His one comfort during the closing months of life was to have someone sit beside his bed to read the Bible.

On July 16, 1916 he was united in marriage to Emma Ratzlaff who shared life's joys and sorrows with him for nearly 48 years. This union was blessed with two sons and one daughter.

On Oct. 3, 1963, he fell in his bedroom, injuring himself severely. A few days later he was taken to the Yankton, S. D. hospital. He came home from the hospital and remained a bed patient for the last seven months of his life.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his beloved wife, Emma; two sons, Sam of Jamestown, N. D., and Orlando of Hurley, S. D.; one daughter, Ruby (Mrs. Abe Krause) of Chouteau, Okla.; two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, four grandchildren, three brothers, two sisters and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. — The Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1964 May 19 p. 335