Janet Kaye Kauffman

1939 - 2024

Janet Kaye Kauffman

June 15, 1939 - November 28, 2024

Janet Kaye (Scholes) Kauffman, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and mentor, passed away peacefully at her home in Trumbull, CT, on November 28, 2024. Born in Omaha, NE, to Walter and Mona Scholes, Janet grew up alongside her siblings, Don, Norma, and Steve. A proud graduate of Omaha North High School (1957), she attended the University of Colorado, where she forged lifelong memories as a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She often reminisced about waking up on her first morning in Boulder, captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Jan married Fred Kauffman in 1961, and together they raised their three children in Lincoln. She cared deeply about her children's education, fostering in them a love of reading and a strong sense of civic responsibility. After their divorce, Jan pursued a master's degree in education from the University of Nebraska, marking the start of an impactful career as an educator and mentor.

For over 25 years, Jan worked at the Nebraska Human Resources Institute (NHRI) and taught at UNL, inspiring hundreds of student leaders. Her work left an indelible mark, creating a legacy of service and leadership that lives on in her students' accomplishments. Jan also served as a house mother at the Farmhouse Fraternity, fondly recalling her time with "her boys." Her vibrant spirit made her a cornerstone of the Lincoln community, where she contributed to numerous boards, organizations, and initiatives. The lasting friendships she built, often spanning decades, brought her immense joy.

Jan's intellectual curiosity was boundless. A voracious reader, she especially loved U.S. history, devouring biographies of presidents and first ladies. She also enjoyed movies, treasuring her visits to the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center. Fiercely independent and deeply principled throughout her life, Jan Kauffman championed justice, equality, and a belief in the U.S. Constitution.

In 2022, Jan moved to Trumbull, Connecticut to be closer to family. Her neighbors quickly recognized her leadership, asking her to serve as Vice President of the Residents' Board. She was known for her warm smile and quick wit.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and brother in-law and is survived by her children: Wendy (Ernesto) Leon-Gambetta of Newtown, CT; Doug (Yashu) Kauffman of Bedford, MA; and Grant Kauffman of McKinney, TX. She delighted in her nine grandchildren: Brandon, Paige, Carson, Carlie, Tessa, Nicholas, Christopher, Ethan, and Zoey, and her two great-grandchildren, Eliana and Miles. She also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law, nieces, and nephew.

A private burial of ashes will be held in Omaha at a date to be determined. If you wish to donate in Jan's memory, she was a supporter of NHRI, Sandy Hook Promise, and Nebraska Public Television. Jan's memory can also be honored by reaching out to an old friend. Share stories, laugh together and perhaps enjoy a burger and a beer as a tribute to the human connections Jan Kauffman held so dear.