Charles "Chuck" David Kauffman

     Charles “Chuck” David Kauffman, the son of George and Henrietta (Jensen) Kauffman, was born February 14, 1940 in Carroll, Iowa and died from cardiac arrest on August 3, 2023, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 5 months, and 19 days.

     Chuck was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended the Audubon Community Schools. During High School he played football and was a track star. He loved to brag about running the 440 yd dash in 54 seconds but admitted that the football team never won a game his senior year. Chuck graduated with the High School Class of 1958. He then attended college at the University of Iowa for one semester. He didn’t care for studying but developed a love for the university and all the sports which continued throughout his life. Chuck returned to Audubon and was employed at Thermo-gas where he delivered bottled gas.

     On February 23, 1963, he was united in marriage to Linda Marie Winther at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. They were blessed with four children, Laurel, Chris, Sara, and Nick. Chuck farmed with his father-in-law, Alfred Winther, for a period of time. In 1972, he had the opportunity to purchase the clothing store in Audubon from his Uncle Harold “Jens” Jensen. He operated Jensen Clothing for 20 years taking pride in offering quality clothing and great service along with conversation and a lot of laughs. The store closed in 1992. Chuck was then employed as a salesman at Deter Motors in Atlantic, Iowa for eight years until he retired.

     Chuck was a diehard Hawk fan and belonged to the Carroll County I-Club. He had the honor of being the Hawk of the Year in 1999. The family enjoyed tailgating and going to the football games and even attended several bowl games. Chuck was known for calling other hawk friends to discuss glorious victories saying, “How ‘bout them Hawks!”

     Chuck and Linda enjoyed traveling. They took the family on several vacations but the favorite was always the trips to northern Minnesota for over 30 years. Although Chuck wasn’t a good swimmer, he enjoyed water skiing until he was 70 years old. He spent hours pulling the kids skiing and tubing. During retirement, they enjoyed traveling to Ft. Myers, Florida, taking long walks on the beach, Chuck visiting with strangers, and eating seafood to their heart's content. They also enjoyed a trip to Germany to visit their son Chris and his wife Rachel, when Chris was in the military. Chris returned to the states and then they made annual trips to Idaho to visit and see the beauty of the northwest. Chuck had some great one-liners and enjoyed visiting friends at various businesses around town. He could often be found shooting the breeze at his brother Sam’s Barber Shop.

Chuck’s proudest and happiest moments were spent with his family. He was a fun-loving dad and grandpa and loved to attend his kids and grandkids sporting events.

     While he thrived on making everyone laugh, he was also the most loving man. He never left without a hug and a “love you.”

     Preceding him in death were his parents; his brother George and wife Sue Kauffman; his sisters Phyllis and husband Mike Kness, Lois and husband Hod Kness, Charlotte and husband Larry Fett; and his brother Gordon Kauffman; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Alfred and Marie Winther; and his sister-in-law Janice Swesey.

     Survivors include his wife of 60 years Linda Kauffman of Audubon, Iowa; his children Laurel and husband Randy Steig of West Des Moines, Iowa, Chris and wife Rachel Kauffman of Emmett, Idaho, Sara and husband Tom Paulsen of Exira, Iowa, and Nick and wife Heather Kauffman of Anita, Iowa; his grandchildren Drew Jacobsen of Des Moines, Iowa, Anna and Molly Kauffman both of Emmett, Idaho, Claire and husband Blake Asberry and their daughter Goldie of Exira, Iowa, Carly and husband Sam Halverson and Camryn Paulsen all of Coon Rapids, Iowa, Grace, Joe and Zach Kauffman, all of Anita, Iowa, and Kate Kauffman of Johnston, Iowa; his brothers Clark “Sam” and wife Lois Kauffman of Audubon, Iowa and N. Douglas Kauffman of Estherville, Iowa; his sisters-in-law Mary Kay and husband Marlin Lewis and Joanne Bald all of Audubon, Iowa and Deanna Kauffman of Estherville, Iowa; nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.

     Following cremation, the family will have a Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Exira Event Center, Exira, Iowa with a meal being served at 6:00 p.m. There will be a private family inurnment in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa. Casual attire is requested and Hawkeye apparel is encouraged.

     Memorials may be directed to ChildServe Foundation, 5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131, online at www.childserve.org/donate/ or the Audubon Rec Center Foundation, PO Box 22, Audubon, IA 50025 or online at www.paypal.com/.donate/?hosted_button_id=HQS2WLUCDFTG2 in memory of Chuck.