Lois M. Kaufman

Lois Marie Kaufman, 80, entered her eternal home on December 3, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama surrounded by her family.  She was born on May 3, 1940 to Orie and Erma (Keim) Kauffman in Pigeon, Michigan.  She was brought up in a loving home steeped in faith, the hymns of the church, and service.  She spent much of her teenage summers helping her father’s churches with vacation Bible school both in Michigan and travelling to missionary camps at Turner’s Creek in Eastern Kentucky.

Lois graduated from Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Indiana in 1958 and dated her future husband.  In her home she was known as “Locust” and Leon was known as her “Wild Honey.”   She married Leon Kaufman on July 30, 1960.  They built their home and family in Shipshewana, Indiana, El Dorado, Arkansas, Sarasota, Florida, until settling in Meridian, Mississippi in 1971.  They then moved to the Goshen – Elkhart, Indiana area in 1986 and after Leon’s death she moved to Mobile, Alabama.

She worked to raise her children with unconditional and sacrificial love made possible by the deep reservoir of love that comes from God.  She had to the end, a kindness that was sincere, and heartfelt for all those in her life and a faith in God she modeled for her family that brought her safely to her heavenly home.  She worked in the home and in many settings but later in life found great joy in working for the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference in Goshen and then with Choice Books in Mobile, that allowed her to spend much time with her grandchildren. Later she worked for Touching Hearts Senior Care in Mobile where she enjoyed caring for older adults.

She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and older brother Kenneth Kauffman.

She is survived by her children JoAnn (John) Patterson of Mobile, Alabama, Jon (Ann) Kaufman of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Marcia (Mitch) Cochran of Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Michelle (Kevin) Strite of Goshen, Indiana.  She was grandmother to Justin (Amy) Patterson, Jarred (Candice) Patterson, Jordan (Emily) Patterson, Julianne Patterson, Erin Kaufman, Lauren Kaufman, Ryan Kaufman, Andrew Cochran, Evan Cochran, Seth Cochran, Aidan Strite, and Ethan Strite.  She was great-grandmother to Luke Patterson, Lydia Patterson, Katherine Patterson, Mary Michael Patterson, John Ellis Patterson, and Caleb Patterson. She is also survived by her siblings, Lloyd (Mary) Kauffman of Sarasota, Florida, Ruth Ann (Jim) Weber of Atmore, Alabama, and Paul (Judi) Kauffman of Grenada, Spain, Lillian (Arnold) Fitzgerald of Flint, Michigan and sister-in-law, Betti June Kauffman of Ephrata, Pennsylvania and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Lois was known as a loving mother and grandmother to her family and devoted to her friends.  She loved to bake for her children and grandchildren, especially chocolate chip cookies, and cinnamon rolls.  She travelled to Europe to sing with her brother Lloyd’s choirs and to see her brother Paul in Ecuador and Spain.  She made many wonderful memories by making quilts, blankets, and clothes for her children and grandchildren.  She believed in having a garden, canning food, and was known to can anything from fish cakes to applesauce and everything in between.  She was a lover of anything sweet which most likely explains all the cookies and candy she made during the holidays and the ice cream she loved to the end.  During her last hours, her family was able to surround her with love and to sing her home.

She was a devoted member of Way of Life Community Church in Mobile since 1996 and the family is deeply grateful for their loving care and attention by her friends there especially in recent years.  A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church in Goshen, IN with burial at Clinton-Union Cemetery following.  Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, December 10 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and then at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Due to Covid restrictions, masks and social distancing are required.  For those not able to attend, the service will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/AybnlicwrNk . Please note all times are Eastern Standard Time.

In Lieu of flowers the family is asking that memorials be made to Pine Lake Fellowship Camp of Meridian, MS which is special to her and to her family.  Donations can be sent to Pine Lake Fellowship Camp, 10371 Pine Lake Road, Meridian, MS 39307 or be made online at pinelakecamp.com.