Marilyn Joan Kaufman (81) of Sigel

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Published on September 10 2021 3:32 pm

Marilyn Joan Kaufman, 81, of Sigel, IL, passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Sigel, IL with burial in St. Michael Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to St. Michael School or St. Michael Cemetery or donor’s choice.

Marilyn was born on December 17, 1939, in Effingham, Illinois, the daughter of Louis and Mary (Laux) Reiss. She married the love of her life, Wilbert Kaufman on September 29, 1962 at St. Clare Catholic Church in Altamont, and he survives. 

Marilyn attended Eastern Illinois University earning her bachelor’s degree in Education. She began her 35-year teaching career at Beecher City but spent the majority of her time at Stewardson-Strasburg School District first teaching high school classes and then teaching 4th grade for most of her career. She retired in 1999. 

Marilyn was a strong faithful member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Sigel, where she served on various church committees. She also served her community by helping those around her in need. She volunteered her time with local charities and never turned down a chance to help someone else. 

Above all else, Marilyn put her family first. She and Wilbert were inseparable for almost 59 years. Marilyn and Wilbert camped and traveled throughout the United States. Marilyn was most proud of the farm she and Wilbert built over the years.  One of her favorite things to do on the farm was mowing and making sure the farm was meticulously cared for.  Marilyn was always there for her daughters and grandchildren and made sure any opportunity was achievable for them. 

Marilyn enjoyed reading books, visiting her friends, and tending to her flowers. She would spend every spring and summer in her garden and then canning her bountiful harvest. Marilyn and Wilbert also loved spending time together on their four-wheelers.  Whether it was the annual our-wheeler ride at the farm or riding throughout the Black Hills of South Dakota, riding four-wheelers was one of her favorite things to do.

Marilyn is survived by her husband, Wilbert Kaufman of Sigel; daughters, Diane (James) Anderson of Hayti, SD, Carol Ann (Mark) Schank of Tolono, and Donna Kaufman of Tolono; grandchildren, Michael (Dani) Anderson, Alexandria Anderson, Martin (Leona) Schank, Kyle Buhr, and Leah Buhr; siblings, Leon (Barbara, deceased) Reiss, Norma Jean (Jerry) Major, and Donald (Sue) Reiss and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law, Barbara Reiss

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