Kathleen Kaufman

Kathleen M. Kaufman, 89, passed away July 10, 2020 at Arbor Terrace in Naperville,
Illinois. She was born November 8, 1930, on the family farm north of Gridley, to Emil J.
and Elizabeth Zimmerman Grusy. She married her high school sweetheart Rogers L.
"Poke" Kaufman on April 29, 1949, at the family homestead. He passed away October
14, 2009.
Survivors include two daughters, Dhyana Kaufman (Ralph Stephens), Coralville, IA;
Debra Kaufman (Barrie Oblinger), Mebane, NC; two sons, Elmer ( Ruth) Kaufman,
Naperville, IL; Eric (Marcie) Kaufman, Hudson, IL; five grandchildren and six great
grandchildren; brothers Franklin (Irma) Grusy and Burton (Nancy) Grusy, all of Gridley:
sister Marilyn (Robert) Hany, Bloomington; and brother-in-law Tyrus Kaufman,
Naperville, IL.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, stepmother Naomi Miller
Grusy, and sister Genevieve Henrichs.
Kathleen attended the Benedict country school and later Gridley High School,
graduating in 1947. She and Poke moved regularly for his career as a telephone
equipment installer, before settling in Tinley Park, IL in 1959 and later Slater, IA in 1964.
They returned to their hometown of Gridley after purchasing the Gridley Telephone
Company in 1970, where they enjoyed living the rest of their married lives.
Kathleen's pleasures were traveling, spending time with her siblings and grandchildren,
gardening, and serving at the Salem Church, where she was a member. She loved
playing cards and games with her five grandchildren and always had something sweet
in her cupboard. She and Poke traveled to every state in the U.S., to Canada, and to
Europe, often with their siblings. Kathleen and Poke enjoyed entertaining and were well
known in the community for their Fourth of July parties. They spent countless hours
working in their large garden and orchard.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, there will be no visitation and a private service will be
held. Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the Gridley
Emergency Medical Service.

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