Jerrold “Jerry” Jacob Kauffman was born Oct. 31, 1952, in Sigourney, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Jean (Christner) Kauffman. He graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and attended Hesston College. Jerry was united in marriage to Mary Ann Durian on Dec. 30, 1978, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wellman.
Jerry owned and operated Kalonial Transport since 1978 and Kauffman Industries in Kalona. He was an active member of the Kalona community, being a Kalona council member, Kalona Mayor for a number of years, communications and planning and zoning committee. He was also a long-time member of the Kalona Fire Department. Jerry enjoyed working, (everyone knew him as a workaholic), watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and mushroom hunting.
Jerry died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at his home at the age of 70 years.
He is survived by his son: Shawn (Brooke) Kauffman of Coralville; his father: Jacob Kauffman of Wellman; siblings: Joyce (Rick) Baron of Sahuarita, Arizona, John Kauffman of Wellman, Julia (Phil) Jantzi of Salisbury, Pennsylvania, Joannie (Jeff) Firkins of Iowa City, and Jorge (Jenny) Kauffman of Lancaster, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Mary Ann; his mother; siblings: James Kauffman, Jan Miller and Jeff Kauffman.
Celebration of life memorial service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Cornerstone Community Church in Kalona. Burial will be at Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-6 p.m., at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations go to the Kalona Fire Department. Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com
