Joan Katherine (Harder) Kaufman

Katherine Joan (Harder) Kaufman, 84, of Winfield passed away Friday, October 25, 2019 at Winfield Senior Living Community with her family at her side.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Friday, November 1 at the First United Methodist Church of Winfield. Visitation will be held at the church from 9-11 A.M. prior to services. Private burial will take place at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee of North Newton (a relief, service, and peace agency).  Contributions may be left in care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.

Joan was born January 29, 1935 in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Menno and Katherine (Wiens) Harder. She was raised in North Newton while her father taught at Bethel College, and graduated from Newton High School in 1951. While attending classes at Bethel, Joan married the love of her life, Leland R. Kaufman, in 1953.  They were married for 66 years. The couple lived brief stints in Denver, North Newton, Lawrence and Kansas City in the late 50’s and early 60s while Leland finished his undergraduate and medical school degrees.  In 1962 they moved to Winfield where Leland started his family practice.  There they raised their 5 children and became active in the community in a variety of ways.

 Joan co-owned and operated The Hanger and The Wardrobe clothing stores for a number of years. She served on the Winfield Chamber of Commerce Board and was on the USD 465 Board of Education.  She was also chairman of “Mothers for a New School” campaign to replace the deteriorating downtown high school. She was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on numerous boards and committees over the years and enjoyed going to the weekly prayer and study groups.

Throughout her life, her absolute pride and joy was being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Family meant everything to her.

Joan is survived by her husband Leland R. Kaufman M.D., children: David Kaufman (Pamela) of Burden, Tony Kaufman (Rene) of Lawrence, Kathy Martin (Michael) of Chanute; Patrick Kaufman (Kathleen) of Overland Park, daughter-in-law Jane (Liermann) Kaufman of Winfield; grandchildren: John Kaufman (Kiersten), Caroline Golay (Nathan), Alex Doyle (James), Annie Kaufman, Jake Kaufman, Jennifer Kaufman, Jessica Kaufman, Sydney Kaufman, David Martin (Katie), Jack Martin, Katie Martin, Brian Kaufman, Emily Kaufman, Christian Kaufman, and Olivia Kaufman; great-grandchildren: Jett Kaufman, Liam Doyle, Christian Kaufman, Laken Doyle, and Demi Golay. She is preceded in death by her parents, and son Christian Kaufman.

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