Merle Elaine Kauffman, the daughter of Soren and Anna (Kerr) Christensen, was born September 9, 1916 in Plover, Iowa and departed this life on Friday, October 6, 2006 at the Good Samaritan Center in Estherville, Iowa at the age of 90.

She received her education and graduated from DMT in Rolfe, Iowa.

On February 23, 1934, Merle was united in marriage to Russel Kauffman in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Following their marriage, the couple lived on a farm near Rolfe until 1941 when they moved to a farm near Swea City where they made their home. In 1955, Merle began baking wedding cakes along with sewing bridesmaids and flower girl dresses. She continued this work until 1975. After retirement, Merle and Russel loved gardening, canning and flowers. Russel died in 1992.

Merle was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City and a 4-H leader for many years.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Delbert Kauffman and his wife, Helen of Cave Junction, Oregon; LaVelle Swenson and her husband, Larry of Radcliffe, Iowa; Phyllis Osborn and her husband, Ron Schroeder of Carroll, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Cyndy Kauffman of Muscatine, Iowa; Pam Kauffman of Swea City, Iowa; Peggy Alig and her husband, Mike of Estherville, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; several step grandchildren; sister, Lula Schmidt of Emmetsburg, Iowa; brother, Warren Christensen and his wife, Jenny of Graettinger, Iowa; sister-in-law; Doris Christensen of Lakota, Iowa, and sister-in-law; Henrietta Wendt of Des Moines, Iowa.

She has been preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russel; son, Gail Kauffman; son-in-law, Roger Osborn; grandson; Jason Barslou; sisters, Lura, Fern, Nelva, Beulah, Alvina; and brothers, Harold, Dale and Bobby.

INTERMENT Clinton-Garfield Cemetery Rolfe, Iowa