Leona Marie Kaufman

Leona Enns was born October 23, 1930 in Goessel, Kansas as the first child of Linda Penner and Abram S. Enns. Her brother Norvie was born four years later, and sister Annabeth when Leona was 16. Leona graduated from Hillsboro High School, where she participated in many musical events. She was baptized at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro. Leona shared in an interview for her 80th birthday that an early positive and formative memory was singing her first solo at the Christmas program when she was only six! In High School she received encouragement to pursue a career in music. She said, “So much of life revolved around music.” She received a scholarship to study music at Bethel College in 1948. There she met Allen Dale Kaufman and they married in 1950. Leona and Allen Dale lived on the Kaufman family farm near Moundridge and joined Eden Mennonite Church. Over the next ten years four children were born: Vicky, Cindy, Brad and Mitch. During these years both Leona and Allen returned to college to complete their degrees. Allen’s mother lived with them, which allowed Leona to begin teaching music at rural schools while her children were still young. She completed her B.A. in music from Bethel in 1961, and a Master’s Degree from Emporia State University in 1972. Leona taught music and German in several schools: Goessel, Saffordville, Canton, Tribune, Americus and Burdett, as well as teaching private voice lessons and as adjunct voice faculty in McPherson and Sterling Colleges from 1981-1991. In every town where she lived, Leona also directed a church choir. She performed often as the soprano soloist for major works, and held herself to a high standard of technique. In 1990, Leona and Allen Dale moved from the farm to Newton, and in 1995 they divorced. Leona had many interests: creating stained glass, serving as a volunteer in the grandparent reading program at Sunset School, rug weaving and volunteering at the Et Cetera Shop. She was known for her ability to sew and make alterations, and this became her “retirement” employment. Leona took pleasure in many sewing projects, including costumes, upholstery, children’s toys, and clothes. She became a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church, where she spent many years singing in the choir and playing hand bells. Leona had two great joys: her family and music, and was especially pleased when the two overlapped. She instilled in her children a keen appreciation for music, and supported their practice and performances. Her children Vicky (David Bluford), Cindy Bartell, Brad, and Mitch (Rosi Penner), 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren remember her voice and her spirit with great fondness. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge. The service will be livestreamed at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88103194061?pwd=pMzTgraQS8KPtIOZldMYMtX6iqZ6Go.1, Meeting ID: 881 0319 4061, Passcode: 576696 Inurnment will take place later at the Bethel College Mennonite Church columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel College Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.

Leona Marie Kaufman

October 23, 1930 - December 24, 2024