Janiece E Kaufman Obituary (1941

Janiece Elaine Kaufman, was born July 28, 1941 in Hastings, Nebraska. She and her twin brother, Jerry, were born to Robert and Opal Kaufman of rural Adams County. She departed this life on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at Tabitha Health Care in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 73 years, 2 months and 17 days. Jan attended Catherton county school through the 4th grade, then went to the Bladen schools where she graduated with the class of 1959. She then moved to Lincoln and attended Lincoln Business College. While in school she worked as a secretary for Russel Stovers Candies. She then worked for the Department of Roads at the state house. Thirteen years later Jan decided it was time to start her own business. She went to Mason City, Iowa to attend auction school. On December 15, 1973, she graduated and returned to Lincoln where she began her careet as an auctioneer. Onward for the next 40 years and hundreds of auctions, she and her crew worked at booking, sorting, boxing and setting up sales. Many times for someone having a sale of their home and belongings, it is not a happy experience for them. Jan had a way of comfort for them. When someone calls and they say, "You conducted an auction for our parents 25 years ago and we want you to have our sale next month," it says something good about your company. Jan and her crew auctioned the Santa Cop sale for 22 years. Business and Lincoln residents donated items for the sale. With the proceeds from the sale Jan and the crew bought toys for the needy children. Over the years they collected over one half million dollars for Christmas toys. Betty Brasch, Executive Director of the Center for People in Need (where Jan did volunteer work) nominated her for the Nebraska Volunteer of the year award. She was selected by Nebraska's First Lady, Sally Garnum to receive the Governor's "Outstanding Service Award" for 2013. In August of 2012 Jan was diagnosed with colon cancer. She met the disease with great determination and heart. A couple of comments by her oncologist, Dr. Alan Berg of the Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center include, "Our goal has always been to give each patient the knowledge and strength to fight. Jan is a fighter. She is determined. She is an inspiration to many other patients and staff at our Cancer Center." Dr. Berg continued, "Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center is a source of hope and comfort to many. People develop friendships sitting in infusion waiting for their chemotherapy or seeing each other day after day in the clinic. Jan was "that person" who offered comfort and conversation to anyone. Her easy smile and feistiness to fight her cancer was contagious." Left to cherish her memory are her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Pat Kaufman; her niece Chantel and a nephew Jim. Jan was quoted as saying "I love spending time with my great nephew, Tyler, and great nieces Kacee and Kaitlyn - they are all the love of my life." Also surviving are other relatives and a host of friends. Funeral services were held Monday, 10:30 a.m., October 20, 2014 at the United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Rev. Dan Albers officiating. Interment was at the Plainview Cemetery. A Memorial Services will be held at the Lincoln Center For People In Need on Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., October 22, 2014 with Rev. Marty Thurber officiating.. Memorials are suggested to Lincoln Center for People in Need or Tabitha Heatlh Care. Williams Funeral Home 241 West 4th Avenue Red Cloud, Nebraka 68970 williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com