Esther Ellen Kauffman

Esther Ellen Kauffman, 90, of Goshen, passed way Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Goshen Hospital.

She was born in St. Johns, Michigan on July 13, 1934 to John F. and Mina (Edelman) Kauffman. The family moved to Pigeon, Michigan when Esther was one. The family lived there until November 1943 when they moved to LaGrange County in Northern Indiana. There they attended the Emma Mennonite Church where Esther was baptized in July 1945 at the age of eleven.

In August 1948 the family moved to the Goshen area. Esther attended Goshen High School where she graduated in May 1952.

She married Kenneth K. Kauffman on September 13,1952, and had four children. In 1973, they bought the Johns home farm on County Road 35 where Kenneth had grown up, and they lived there until Kenneth’s death in 1988.

Esther & Kenneth attended Benton Mennonite Church where she was a primary Sunday School teacher and was active in women’s activities. She worked part time in the kitchen at Fairfield High School and was later employed in the sewing department at Woodland Park in Middlebury. After retirement she did some volunteering at the Window and Greencroft.

She is preceded in death by her siblings Fern (Kenneth) Oswald, Melvin Kauffman, Sara (Theron) Schlabach, Mary Louise (Phillip) Meek and Ruth (Steve) Stump.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Loretta Kauffman; her four children, Michael (Kathy) Kauffman, Douglas (Linda) Kauffman, Leland (Nancy) Kauffman and Jeanette (David) Hathaway; ten Grandchildren and two step grandchildren, Karrie (Jeff) Mathews, Cory (Elizabeth) Kauffman, Ashley Kauffman, Keil Kauffman, Amanda (Jason) Martin, Krystal Hathaway, Jade (Adrian) Miller, Alyssa Kauffman, Victoria (Clayton Kniesly) Hathaway, Hunter Hathaway, Curtis (Chelsie) Weldy, Shawn (Bryce) Hensley; and her 20 great grandchildren.

Friends may call 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, July 13, 2025 at Benton Mennonite Church.  Visitation will also be held at the church on Monday, July 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. celebration of life.

Memorial donations may be directed to Benton Mennonite Church.