Erma Mae Kauffman

Memorial service for Erma Kauffman will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church in Gillette, WY. A gathering of friends and family will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, with sharing of memories at 6:30 p.m. Erma Kauffman died of natural causes on January 20, 2017, at the age of 82. She was born Erma Mae King on May 17, 1934, on a farm in Fulton County, Ohio. She grew up in the Mennonite communities of Wauseon and Pettisville, Ohio, working on the farm while attending school. She graduated from Goshen College in Indiana in 1961 with a degree in elementary education and taught elementary school for several years. After moving frequently due to husband Paul Kauffman's medical training and professional practice, they settled down in Gillette, Wyoming, in 1974. From the mid-1970s until 1987, Erma owned and operated the Emerald City Preschool and the Tumbleweed Campground, which later became the Crazy Woman Campground. She was the Elderhostel Coordinator at the Rockpile Museum for many years. Erma was very involved in community service, including with the Campbell County Children's Festival since its beginning in 1979, The Cam-Plex as an Ambassador, The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots, the Mission Committee at First Presbyterian Church, and more. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Lydia King; siblings Harold, Emerson, Maurice, Mabel, and Irene. She is survived by brother, Marvin; sons, Bruce, Kevin, and David Kauffman, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Per her wishes, donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Campbell County Children's Festival, c/o 4-H, 412 S. Gillette Ave., Gillette, WY 82716. Memorials and condolences may also be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com