A servant to his community and champion of his family – a true heart of gold. Mark Allen Kauffman, 78, of Keenesburg, CO died in Windsor, CO from Parkinson’s on 9/16/2024.
He was born in Loveland, CO in 1946 to Elmer and Bertha Kauffman, who instilled the love of farming and a strong work ethic into his heart. School wasn’t necessarily a priority for Mark, and he was drafted into the Marines where he served his country with honor during the Vietnam War. He was welcomed back into the community and promptly went to work on the family farm with his father and 2 brothers.
SPOUSE – Mark met the love of his life, Carol, in June of 1968 in North Platte, NE. Even though Betty Dowhower (mother-in-law) was somewhat rude to him, he kept showing up. They married on Oct 20, 1969. It would have been 55 years of marriage in October this year.
CHILDREN – Mark and Carol started their family in January 1970 with twins who would not survive due to being born prematurely. A couple of years later they would welcome their daughter, Kristen Diann. Jeri Marcella and Matthew Mark would finish out the family. They would enjoy their time together in the winter snowmobiling because that would not interfere with farming.
GRANDCHILDREN – He was known as Papa to his grandchildren. They loved him and he loved them fiercely. He really started enjoying them as they got older because they got to ride 4-wheelers and shoot BB guns. He was blessed with 7 grandchildren and 1 bonus grandchild. Their names are Daelynn Judd, Maddison Rector, Gunnar Judd, Kylie Rector, Brody Judd, Olivia Kauffman, Conrad Kauffman and Ryan Thompson.
JOB – Mark was a farmer and rancher for the majority of his life, but he was an entrepreneur at heart. They opened a few SNAP Fitness franchises so that they wouldn’t have to worry about whether it was going to rain or not. They also started to develop some land towards the end of his career.
CHURCH/COMMUNITY GROUPS – To say that Mark was active in his community would be an understatement. He was always heavily involved in something and he always made it better because he was a part of it. Here is a list of all the organizations that he was a part of over the years:
• Board of Directors for Roggen Farmer’s Elevator
• Board of Directors for Colorado Water Conservancy District
• Soil Conservation Board
• Member of the Prime Rib Club
• American Legion Post 190 – 56 years
• VFW Post 2121
• Southeast Weld County Fair & Rodeo Board – 19 yrs
• High 10 Sugar Producers
• Member of Four Way Baptist Church
• Black Angus Cattle Association
• Marine Corps League 1093 of Greeley
Mark will always be remembered for how he made people feel. He always had Hershey’s kisses and hugs for all the ladies and always made time to help people when they needed it. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, parent, or Papa and we will miss him every day. His memory and legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. Mark was preceded in death by his father Elmer Kauffman, his mother Bertha Kauffman, and the twins, Kellie Jo and Dannette Jo. He is survived by both of his brothers, Vern and Lee Kauffman, along with their families.
Celebration of Life is October 1, 2024 at 10am at Four Way Baptist Church, followed by the reception. We will continue with a Military ceremony at 2:30pm at Fort Logan Cemetery. Any financial donations to the family will be dispersed to the Keene Clinic, Bristol Hospice, Pelican Pointe, American Legion Post 190, Four Way Baptist Church and Marine Corps League 1093.
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