Louise Barbara Kaufman

July 25, 1922 - February 10, 2020

Louise Barbara (Ehemann) Kaufman, age 97, of St. Vincent, Arkansas, passed away Monday, February 10, 2020. Lou was the youngest of thirteen children born to Mike Ehemann and Maggie Klar Ehemann of Atkins, Arkansas, on July 25, 1922. The values that guided her life were family, faith, and service. She was the first in her family to graduate with a high school diploma. Lou attended beauty school and worked in her sister’s beauty shop in Little Rock for 12 years. In April 1952, she married Louis Kaufman and up until one year ago prepared a hot lunch for family and farm hands on a daily basis. Named as Conway County Farm Family in 1973 and 1994, she worked in the commercial production of turkeys for 50 years and oversaw the raising of dozens of boys who turned into men while working on the Kaufman Farm. Lou served as a leader in community organizations such as PTA, 4-H, and Farm Bureau women’s activities. Lou was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church since 1952, where she has served as a member of the Altar Society, Benedictine Oblates, Catholic Women’s Union, and church cleaning committee. After retiring from farm work at the age of 80, Lou continued to keep her mind and hands busy by playing card games, crossword puzzles, bingo, and the making of thousands of rosaries that have been distributed around the world. Lou was a dedicated caretaker for her husband, as well as other family members as their health declined. She raised five children that she ensured were properly fed, disciplined and educated: Dr. Dale Kaufman (Jeana), Gary Kaufman (Sherry), Mary Beth Gunther (Raymond), Brenda Pinkston Squires (Eddie), and Sheila Kerst Hansen (Tom). Lou is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Kendra Kaufman, Amy Kaufman, Kristen (Tony) Sheppard, Brandon (Ronni Lee) Kaufman, Jason (Jane) Kaufman, Brittany (Zach) Singleton, Amber Kaufman, Emily (Richard) Woodall, Travis Gunther, Tyler Gunther, Drew Pinkston, Matt (Lauren) Pinkston, Ryan (Cassie) Kerst, Adam (Etzel) Kerst, Jeffrey Kerst, and Brad Kerst; and 12 great grandchildren that she babysat, disciplined, spoiled, and taught multiple card and dice games. In addition, Lou’s family grew through marriage to include four additional grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Lou maintained special relationships with extended family members including nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and sisters-in-law. She was never a casual observer of life but believed every day should be lived to its fullest and celebrated as a gift from God. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Little Johnnie Ehemann, Barbara Ehemann, Rose Nottenkamper (Paul), Cil (Claude) Frame, Tom (Josephine) Ehemann, John (Frances) Ehemann, Josephine (Jay) Payne, Antone (Doris) Ehemann, Martin (Sabina) Ehemann, Martha (Ramon) Jauregui, Catherine (Arlie) Sorrels, and Alice (Bill) Hill. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Jim Burnie, Father Ernie Hardesty, and Deacon Steve Mallett officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery. Rosary will be 6:30 p.m. Friday, February 14, with visitation following until 8:30 p.m., at the Harris Chapel. Pallbearers will be Brandon Kaufman, Jason Kaufman, Travis Gunther, Tyler Gunther, Drew Pinkston, Matt Pinkston, Ryan Kerst, Adam Kerst, Jeffrey Kerst, and Brad Kerst. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Vincent, Arkansas.