Marvin Eugene Kaufman

Marvin E. Kaufman, 76, of Atlantic, Iowa and formerly of Newton, Kansas went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic. He was born to Marvin J. and Elsie Kaufman on February 12, 1945, on his mother’s birthday, in McPherson, Missouri.

In his elementary years in the rural Newton, Kansas area, Marvin attended the Candy, Kelly and Pleasant Acres schools. He graduated from Newton Santa Fe High school and then attended Ozark Bible Institute in Ozark, Arkansas, Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri. He received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida.

During his time in Missouri, Marvin attended the wedding of his uncle and met the bride’s lovely niece, Marilyn Harder. Romance was certainly in the air and the younger couple were soon united in marriage themselves on June 9, 1967, at the Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater, Kansas.

Marvin taught at Citadel Bible College in Ozark, Arkansas and was Director of Admissions for ten years. He later worked as a school principal for over 30 years in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. He was always thrilled to hear from his former students and made a host of friends while working as a sporting goods sales associate for seven years at Walmart in Newton, Kansas. While in Atlantic, he kept busy buying and selling on the local swap site and worked as a funeral assistant at Roland Funeral Service for several years.

Marvin had a multitude of interests and hobbies. He loved fishing, hunting ducks, geese, and coyotes. Racoon hunting was tops! He was also known to treasure hunt with his metal detector in hand and grandkids by his side; they also helped more than one friend find their lost valuables. He enjoyed collecting Hot wheels, Indian arrow heads, knives, old fish tackle, car license plates and working on his Corvettes.

He loved church and would often say, “I can hardly wait till we can go to church Sunday.” Active in church all his life, he served on numerous boards and came to their aid as Assistant Pastor on many occasions. Marvin was most recently a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Atlantic, Iowa.

Sharing Jesus with others was very important to him. “To know God and to make him known” was his goal in life. He was constantly reaching out to those who seemed to have few friends. Helping and encouraging others was his pleasure and in turn, his ready smile and constant jokes made the day of everyone around him!

His wife Marilyn and his family were his greatest joy. Taking Marilyn out for a cinnamon roll or out to eat was always a highlight and Sunday afternoon drives were a regular occurrence. Combing the beach with his son Monty, bass fishing with his son Myron, and “antiquing” with his daughter Mindy were his delight. Words can’t describe the elation he found in his grandkids; attending their ball games, fishing or watching the ducks and geese land on the lake at dusk together and teaching them how to identify various birds, were enthralling.

Marvin is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Kaufman of Atlantic, Iowa; sons, Monty (Linda) Kaufman of Ankeny, Iowa and Myron (Kim) Kaufman of Forsyth, Missouri; daughter, Mindy (Vic) Nichols of Atlantic, Iowa; grandchildren, Jay (Emily), Hannah, Cameron, Clayton, Ada and Jett; brother, Burdette Kaufman of Newton, Kansas; and sisters, Karolyn (Johnny) Atchison, of Arkansas and Luella (Glen) Vance of Kansas.
He is preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, October 7th at GracePoint Church in Atlantic (formerly the Evangelical Free Church). Immediately following the service burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita followed by a luncheon at GracePoint Church. A public visitation with family present will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at GracePoint Church. The funeral service will be recorded and available for viewing one day after the service at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Marvin’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.