Arlene (Reynolds) Kaufmann

Arlene (Reynolds) Kaufmann

March 24, 1931 — July 18, 2018

Arlene (Reynolds) Kaufmann, 87, passed away the morning of Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She and her husband Herb had moved there last year from Marble Falls, Texas.

She was born on March 24, 1931, to Leo and Edna (Engehausen) Reynolds in the town of Buckley, Ill. She grew up in Buckley and graduated from Buckley High School in 1949. She was an excellent student and active in the community. Including working at the family restaurant.

One of her classmates in Buckley was Jerome ‘Herb’ Kaufmann. On October 7, 1950, she would become Arlene Kaufmann in a wedding ceremony in Buckley. They were childhood sweethearts and would remain together from that point forward, a long and loving marriage. Many of their relatives still live in the Buckley area and they maintained many of the friendships from those early years.

Upon graduating from Illinois State University (ISU), Herb would become a high school teacher and coach. First in Donavon, Illinois, then in Buckley, Illinois, and then at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois. Arlene would re-establish the Kaufmann household in each of these communities and help the family quickly acclimate to their new surroundings.

Sandwiched before and after Herb’s U.S. Army service in Korea, they would welcome into the world daughter Kathy (1952) and son Kent (1957).

In order for Herb to complete his doctorate degree at University of Virginia (UVA). they would relocate to Charlottesville, Virginia, for two years, where they developed many lasting friendships. Arlene also worked in the administrative office of the university food service.

Upon receiving his Ph.D in 1969, he secured a job as a professor of mathematics at West Illinois University (WIU) in Macomb, Illinois. Here too Arlene helped the family re-establish itself in a new community. She also worked in the administrative office of the university food service, leveraging her experience from UVA.

In 1985, Herb retired from teaching to write textbooks full time. Arlene would proofread and type all of his textbooks. She typed literally thousands of pages of math textbooks.

They took advantage of the flexibility offered by this new career to relocate to warmer climate. First to Marble Falls, then a couple of years in Daytona Beach, and finally back to Marble Falls. And they maintained friendships from Macomb and Daytona Beach for the many years to come.

They grew to love Marble Falls and it became home for them. They developed many special friendships and remained there until their recent move to Colorado Springs. Their grandchildren had many special times with them in Marble Falls.

Over the years Arlene would have a number of hobbies that she would pursue with passion and skill. Quilting, needlepoint, and jewelry making were just a few. It seemed that anything she chose to pursue she would excel at.

Arlene was preceded in death by husband Herb; father Leo; mother Edna; and brothers Ronald, Leo Jr. and Eldon.

She is survived by sister, Marian Cluver; daughter Kathrin Bellknap and her husband Daniel; son Kent Kaufmann and his wife Zorka; grandchildren Kaitlin, Nikole, Carson, David and Danielle; and five great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be offered at remembr.com\arlene.m.kaufmann

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any of:

• Donations to Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinsons.org)

• Donations to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDRF.org)

• Acts of service in support of our youth