Caroline Marie Kaufman

Caroline was born on December 17, 1951, in Van Wert, Ohio to Albert and Rose (Rager) Zeltwanger. She graduated from Blue Creek High School in 1969 and Parkview Methodist School of Nursing in 1973. Caroline was baptized in the Apostolic Christian Church located in Latty, Ohio on November 15, 1970. Caroline married the love of her life, Curtis John Kaufman, on December 18th, 1977.

Caroline is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Rose (Rager) Zeltwanger and Uncle Fred and Aunt Caroline (Rager) Zeltwanger.

Caroline is survived by her beloved husband, Curtis John Kaufman, their five children, and ten grandchildren: Carrie and Travis Brown and their children Alexandria, Grace, and Robert, Catherine Kaufman and her son Bruce, Carl and Sara Kaufman and their children Lacey, Chase, and Charles, Curtis Jr and Kristen Kaufman and their children Curtis III and Riley, and Christine and Michael Rodriguez and their daughter Alayna. Caroline is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Caroline lived her entire life by the strength found in her faith in Jesus Christ. After graduating from nursing school as a registered nurse, Caroline moved across the country from Ohio to Tucson, Arizona. Shortly after moving, she met a young Curt Kaufman at a church event where their amazing courtship began. To say she delighted in being a mother and grandmother would be an understatement. Caroline believed that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” and saw her family as her first mission field. In addition, she took pride in her role as a wife and homemaker who faithfully served as a minister's wife with Curt in his 30 years at the Apostolic Christian Church. As a couple, Curt and Caroline would also serve their community at the Crisis Pregnancy Center and, most recently, the Midwest Food Bank. Having five children over the course of 13 years, they found themselves highly involved in the teams their children participated on. This devoted support continued when their grandchildren came to that age. Caroline was always on the sideline, at the recital, or in the crowd for them and the many friends they had that she affectionately became a second mother and grandmother to.

Caroline modeled sacrificial love and care beyond words, taking care of her Father Albert, Aunt Caroline, and Uncle Fred as they aged. Caroline will be remembered as the faithful Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend that she was, who gave hugs that healed and who never met a stranger.