James M Kaufman

James Martin Kaufman, the son of Leone (Stoughton) and Charles Frederick Kaufman, was born October 12, 1940 at Bladen, Nebraska. He departed this life on December 25, 2020 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 80 years, 2 months and 13 days.

Jim received his formal education attending and graduating from the Bladen schools where he excelled in athletics, participating in football, basketball and track. A veteran of the United States Marines, he enlisted to service his country on January 23, 1964 and was honorably discharged on July 8, 1964. Following his service he returned to the Bladen area where he was employed with Bladen Sand and Gravel as a heavy equipment operator. He was employed with Pitney-Bowes for fifteen years as a branch service manager, living and working in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. In 1980, he retired from the position and returned to Bladen and worked for a period of time at the ADC-1 Ethanol Plant in Hastings, the Mid-America Pump and Bonnavilla Homes at Aurora. Jim moved to Hastings to make his home in 1986, and dedicated many years to caring for his mother.

In his leisure time in enjoyed collecting Native American artifacts. It was always a highlight of his day when he had coffee with his friends at Timm’s in Bladen. He was a longtime member of both the Eagles Lodge and the American Legion.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Fred and Leone Kaufman, and brothers, Tom and Robert Kaufman.

Left to treasure his memory are his daughters, Kim Grams and husband, Scot, of Campbell, Nebraska; and Taylor Brunet and husband, Matthew, of Katy, Texas; three grandchildren, Tyler Grams, Cassandra Grams and Carson, Brunet; his brothers, Jack Kaufman and wife, Diane, of Hays, Kansas; other relatives and a host of friends.

Graveside services were Thursday, 11:00 am, December 31, 2020 at the Plainview Cemetery at Bladen with the Rev. Dan Albers officiating.

A memorial fund has been established by the family for later designation.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West Fourth Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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