DONALD DAVID KAUFMAN

DONALD DAVID KAUFMAN Donald David Kaufman was born on Jan. 10, 1933, one of eight children, to David and Hulda (Graber) Kaufman in Marion, SD (three siblings did not survive childhood). Don was a trapper as a child: money he made from pelts was used to purchase books which remained a lifelong obsession. He was intrigued by drama, peace clubs, and contacts with Cheyenne students while in College. He graduated from Bethel College in 1955 in Social Science and Literature, and helped on the family farm for several years. He married Eleanor Wismer in 1958, having met in seminary in Chicago, and they spent most of the 1960's together in Java (Indonesia) with the Mennonite Central Committee. Afterwards, Don was a pastor at two churches in Minnesota and then Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. Don enjoyed listening to music (surrounded by church and Eleanor's talents), gardening, and gathering and collating poems, prose and quotes. He wrote numerous articles and commentary, and two books, What Belongs to Caesar? and The Tax Dilemma, focusing on the war-tax resistance movement. He was a tireless promoter of peace and nonviolent social change. In his later years he also worked with Ediger Insulation and the Mennonite Press, and helped to manage HUD housing for disabled persons at Wheatland Homes. He planted over fifty trees in the area around Sunset school in Newton, and helped transport railroad crews to their trains around central Kansas. He is survived by his brother, Gene, and three children: Kendra, Galen (with grandchildren Camille, Orion and Lily) and Nathan (adopted in Java). Eleanor preceded him in death in 2019. Don passed on Dec. 18 at Kidron Bethel after a lengthy struggle with dementia. Arrangements are pending. Memorials may be given to Mennonite Central Committee.