Eleanor Edith (Seese) Kaufman finally earned her wings on Nov. 23, 2012, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She will be remembered for her creativity, wit, and friendliness. Eleanor was born Oct. 1, 1929, in Windber, Penn., George and Marian (Maurer) Seese. She attended Juniata College in Huntingdon, Penn., where she lettered in tennis and basketball, and earned a B.S. in chemistry. During college she met Donald Kaufman, who shared her love of the outdoors. They were married on June 14, 1952. She and Don moved to Midland, where they raised four children.
Eleanor was a Renaissance woman, with a variety of talents and interests. She could identify birds and wildflowers, stitch up quilts, weave baskets, and make thimbleberry jam over a Coleman stove. She had been active in a number of organizations, including the Midland Church of the Brethren, Church Women United, the Midland Nature Club, and the Midland Fiber Arts Guild. Eleanor especially enjoyed singing in choirs such as the Trinity Lutheran Church choir. Her strong soprano voice could still be heard even after she lost the ability to communicate verbally.
Eleanor is survived by daughters, Rebecca (Jim) Reed of Carbondale, Ill., Laurie Kaufman of St. Paul, Minn., and Amy (Mike) Tuckey of Lansing; son, David (Julie) Kaufman of Idaho Falls, Idaho; sister, Doris (Kenneth) Bell of New Paris, Penn.; four grandchildren, Amy Kaufman, Douglas Kaufman, Eric Kaufman, and Benjamin Tuckey. She was preceded in death by husband Donald, her parents, and by her brother, George Seese, Jr.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 am Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at the Church of the Brethern,1717 E. Sugnet Road. Reverend Art Smith will officiate, with burial in Midland Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Eleanor's family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler Street on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m., and at the church on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Church of the Brethren or the Chippewa Nature Center. Memorials and condolences may be made through
www.waresmithwoolever.com 
