Thelma Laverne Kauffman

Thelma LaVerne Kauffman, 92, of Goshen, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2017, at Goshen Hospital.

She was born February 26, 1924, in Shanesville, Ohio, the daughter of Elmer N. and Ella Irene (Yoder) Kauffman. The family moved to Topeka when Thelma was six years old.

Survivors include two sisters, Claramae (Don) Gingerich of Kouts and J. Arlene (Dennis) Schrock of St. Charles, Illinois; two brothers, Richard “Dean” Kauffman of Elkhart and Kenneth D. (Carole) Kauffman of Marion, brother-in-law Ed Stutzman of Kokomo and 15 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Elmer J. Kauffman and Betty Stutzman.

A longtime area resident, Thelma graduated from Topeka High School in 1942 and studied business at Goshen College. While working as the head bookkeeper at Goshen College for four years, she took additional classes in Bible and Art. She then worked at Elkhart Paint and Wallpaper and took evening classes in interior design. For 15 years she worked in the accounting department of the Ames Division of Miles Laboratories in Elkhart. She was employed there when the company installed the first computer. Thelma also worked in accounting at Travel Equipment Corporation in Goshen and at Indiana Coated Fabrics in Warsaw.

Thelma was baptized at Topeka Mennonite Church at age 12. She remained a member there until 1965 when she transferred her membership to College Mennonite Church in Goshen. She served in the church in various ways. For five years she traveled to Chicago on weekends to help teach the young people’s Sunday school class at the Mennonite Community Chapel, a storefront church. For years she sang in various community choirs including The Little Choir. She was a leader in the College Church girls’ club for several years, and after retirement she volunteered at Ten Thousand Villages.

Thelma traveled extensively, including to Amsterdam for Mennonite World Conference in 1967. She was gifted artistically and enjoyed photography, creating crafts and quilting, and growing and arranging flowers. In her later years she enjoyed buying and selling antiques and collectibles including her favorite collection, paintings by renowned artists. Her entire family had much love and respect for her and were very supportive of her. She also had a devoted circle of friends that kept in close contact with her.

Friends may call Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service at College Mennonite Church.

Her cremated remains will be scattered in the Memorial Garden at College Mennonite Church at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be given to World Missionary Press or Goshen College.