Donna Dean Kaufman
Donna Dean Kaufman passed away on
Saturday (March 13, 2010) in her home in Newton.
She was born on Nov. 29, 1923, to Pearl
(Draper) and Asa Neel in Tranquility, Calif.
Donna and her family moved to Windom
when she was 4 years old.
She graduated from Windom High School
and received a music scholarship to Emporia State.
Donna married Vilas Kaufman on Aug. 18,
1943. Together they enjoyed collecting antiques, music and spending
time at the family "pond."
Donna and Vilas moved to Fresno,
Calif., in 1962, and she worked many years for the state of
California. They returned to Newton in 1982.
She is survived by her husband of 66
years, Vilas Kaufman; two sisters, Acelee Ellwood of Little River and
Billie Hall of Fresno, Calif.; her son, Rick (Barbara) Kaufman;
daughter Sherry (Larry) Nuehring; grandchildren, Stacey (Darren)
Dennett, Jana McKinney Hoelscher and Keenan Kaufman;
great-grandchildren, Daniel, Devinn and Dakota Dennett, Garrett,
Wyatt and Ellie McKinney, and Kadence Kaufman, all of Newton.
She was preceded in death by her
brother, Sonny Neel; sisters Mertie Carison, Anna Holler and
Madeleine Nelson; and grandson, Lance McKinney.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m.
today at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. The family will be present
to greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The graveside committal will be at 10
a.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Cemetery. The memorial service will be at
11 a.m. at Church of Christ, First and Columbus streets in Newton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to Harry Hynes Hospice or Carpenter Place Children's Home
in care of Petersen's Funeral Home.