Brenda A. Kauffman

   Brenda A. Kauffman, 80, of McVeytown, passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.
   She was born Jan. 25, 1941 near the Bratton Township village of Mattawana, the daughter of the late Charles and Gertrude (Harshbarger) Kauffman.
   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Loren Kauffman, and a nephew.
   She is survived by:  five siblings, Duane Kauffman of Lansdale, Dolores (Alvin) Graber of Nappanee, Indiana, Joanne Peachey of Belleville, Alice (Leroy) Miller of McVeytown, and Lance (Karen) Kauffman of McVeytown.  She also had seven nephews and five nieces with whom she stayed in touch.
   After graduating from Eastern Mennonite College (now University) with a degree in education, she taught several years in eastern Pennsylvania before beginning a long tenure as a teacher of history at Belleville Mennonite School.  She also served as the school librarian and after her resignation as a teacher she remained at the school in that capacity on a part-time basis.
   She was an active member of the Mattawana Mennonite Church where she served as librarian, congregational historian, and loyal contributor to the Willing Workers Sewing Circle.  She was involved in the founding of the Mifflin County Mennonite Historical Society and served several terms on the board of directors.  She also volunteered as a receptionist at the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Belleville.
   She had a variety of interests.  Cars slowed down when passing her home as they enjoyed her flowers and other plantings. These included milkweeds which were important for her efforts to preserve Monarch butterflies.  She liked to travel, especially to national parks and places of historical interest.  For her the Stone Chimney Camp in the Licking Creek Valley was a special place for relaxation, picnics, and feeding the hummingbirds.  She had an extensive collection of angel Christmas tree ornaments and another set related to her special love for books.  Her weekly schedule was arranged to allow for an hour's devotion to Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
   Brenda was a very giving person and there were many recipients of her generosity and hospitality.  In particular, she received much fulfillment in hosting occasions where she shared products of new recipes with her invited guests.
   An event celebrating her life will be scheduled for a later time.
   Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mattawana Mennonite Church, designated for the Willing Workers Sewing Circle, P.O. Box 126, Mattawana, PA  17054.
 

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