View source for Kauffman, Nelson E. (1904-1981)

Nelson E. Kauffman, a [[Mennonite Church (MC)|Mennonite Church]] (MC) bishop and conference leader, was born 5 October 1904  in [[Garden City (Missouri, USA)|Garden City]], Missouri, USA) and grew up at Minot, [[North Dakota (USA)|North Dakota]]. He was the son of David G. Kauffman and Anna (King) Kauffman. Nelson was married on 10 June 1929 to [[Kauffman, Christmas Carol (1901-1969)|Christmas Carol (Miller Hostetler) Kauffman]]. She died in 1969. Their children were Stanlee, James, Marcia (Miller), and Madonna (Eberly). Kauffman married Lois (Gerber Keener) in 1970. He died 18 June 1981 in Largo, Florida and was buried in Prairie Street [[Cemeteries|cemetery]], Elkhart, Indiana.

Kauffman graduated from [[Hesston College (Hesston, Kansas, USA)|Hesston College]] in 1929. He was ordained a minister (1934) and bishop (1940) and served 22 years (1934-1956) as a missionary and pastor in Hannibal, Missouri, USA). Kauffman was secretary for home missions of the [[Mennonite Board of Missions (Mennonite Church)|Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities (MC)]], 1955-1970. As president of [[Mennonite Board of Education (Mennonite Church)|Mennonite Board of Education]] (1950-1970) he was one of the architects of cooperation in formation of [[Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Indiana, USA) |Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries]] and one of the founders of the Conrad Grebel Projects Committee. As bishop he served congregations in [[Missouri (USA)|Missouri]], [[Indiana (USA)|Indiana]], [[Arkansas (USA)|Arkansas]] and [[Michigan (USA)|Michigan]]. Kauffman's study and writing resulted in many articles in Mennonite periodicals. He wrote three pamphlets on personal and congregational witness (<em>Menn. Bib</em>. 2: 464).
= Bibliography =
Erb, Paul. <em>South Central frontiers: a history of the South Central Mennonite Conference</em>. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1974: index.

"Kauffman, Nelson E." ''Gospel Herald'' 74 (21 July 1981). Reproduced in MennObits. "Gospel Herald Obituary - July 1981"  Accessed 12 March 2006. &lt;[http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/81/jul1981.html http://www.mcusa-archives.org/MennObits/81/jul1981.html]&gt;

Springer, Nelson and A.J. Klassen, compilers, <em>Mennonite Bibliography, 1631-1961</em>, 2 vols. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1977: II: 464.
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