Jerry Kaufman passed away December 23, 2020 at Unity Point Allen Hospital in Waterloo. He was born May 7th, 1938 in Brandon, Iowa the son of Fred and Marie (Steils) Kaufman. Jerry grew up in the Eagle Center area. As an adult, he moved to Oelwein, and finally settled in Fairbank in 1969. Jerry worked at John Deere in Waterloo for 35 years. He purchased the car wash in Fairbank in 1978 and soon began selling cars at that same location. That business became Jerry’s Auto, Inc. in 1989, upon his retirement from John Deere. The business will live on through Jerry’s son, Todd.
Jerry never met a stranger, had a terrific outlook on life, and was strong in his faith. Jerry was an amazing husband, dad, grandpa and great grandpa, and will be missed dearly by his children; Julie Bentley (Curt Kelley), Denise (Bob) Crew, Sherry (Tony) Duffy, Todd (Tina) Kaufman, grandchildren; Kyle Bentley, Klint Bentley, Kaleb Bentley, Brent Duffy, Candace Ratchford, Rachel Walton, Emily Van Winkle, Kaitlyn Kaufman and Traeton Kaufman, thirteen great grandchildren, three brothers; Jim (Glenda) Kaufman, Jack Kaufman and Tim (Shar) Kaufman, three sisters; Connie Broell, Mary Kaufman (Gloria Hill) and Sue Thompson along with countless other family and friends. We pray there is a card game happening in heaven with Wally, Dale and Bob.
Preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Wanda Kaufman, father and mother, Fred and Marie Kaufman, mother and father in law Lester and Opal, his brother Wally, brother in law Dennis and granddaughter Lou Ann Bentley.
Funeral Mass: 11:00 am Monday December 28, 2020 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank
Visitation: 9:00-10:45 am Monday December 28 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic all in attendance will be required to wear face coverings and maintain proper social distance.
Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery
Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.
Condolences for Jerome Edwin Kaufman
I worked for Jerry and Todd all throughout highschool. They treated me like family and I always felt the part. Both Jerry and Wanda will be missed as they were truly wonderful people along with their family.
Our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family.
Rory and Lynn Van Winkle
Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Our sympathy and love to you all. May God surround you with His peace and love. With warmest thoughts, Ob and Dyette🙏💖🙏
Deepest sympathies to all of you. Will never forget the stories from Uncle Dale playing cards at the car wash. Also bought my second car from Jerry. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
My sympathy, prayers and love to you all.
We are sending our deepest sympathies to the family. We have many wonderful memories of being in card club with Jerry & Wanda
Many great memories and laughs at “Jerry’s ” on Saturday mornings. Cards, life’s teaching, jokes, and philosophy! I always told him, cars or cards, either way he would get my money! Fun fish frys on the King’s birthday.
Jerry and Wanda were always so friendly and a great part of the FairbAnk Community . They will be missed . We send our sympathy , hugs , and love to you all
I am so sorry to all of you on the challenges you have faced lately. Sending positive thoughts to all of you right now. You are in my thoughts & in the thoughts of the many people who have known the family – and loved you – over the years. 🙂
My condolences to you. My prayers are with you.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. May God comfort you with His mercy and grace.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God fill your heart with comfort and precious memories
Our condolences and sympathies for Jerry and Wanda’s family. Jerry and Wanda were good friends and never failed to have a smile and pleasant greeting upon our infrequent meetings. I will always treasure the many pleasant memories of Jerry and the Kaufman family–a friendship that began in the late 40’s when Jack and I (Eldon McLaury) were in High School and became good friends. Our friendship resulted in spending many hours with the Kaufman’s enjoying meals and Sunday afternoon card games. Jerry was a part of those experiences–his smile, laughter and friendship will be missed.
Julie, Denise, Sherry and Todd, my sincere condolences for both the loss of your mother and father, within such a short amount of time. I will never forget how genuine, friendly and kind Jerry was, as his obituary said, “Jerry never met a stranger”. Most of all, I will miss his laughter; the world is a much colder, emptier place without him. Prayers, hugs and love, to you all. GOD Bless!