Obituary for Donna Marie Kauffmann (Brown)
Donna Marie Kauffmann(nee Brown) December 3 1931 – July 1 2022
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mom, our Oma, Donna Kauffmann. Surrounded by her children, Donna quietly passed away on July 1 2022.
Born in Winnipeg to Harvey and Alma Brown, the family moved to Camrose where Donna and her two older sisters, Elaine and Lois, spent much of their childhood. After moving to Calgary, Donna attended Crescent Heights High School. There, she met many of her life long friends.
After high school, Donna attended the University of Alberta where she became a Kappa Alpha Theta and received her Bachelor of Education. She then started her teaching career that spanned over 3 decades.
Donna had a love for the outdoors and had an adventurous soul. Her love of the mountains and skiing led her to meet the love of her life. While walking from the train station in Banff towards Mount Norquay with two friends, three young German tourists asked them if they needed a ride. It was there that she met her future husband, our Dad and Opa, Eberhard Kauffmann (Ebe)
Married in December 1955, Ebe and Donna began their 53 years of marriage. Being avid skiers, they honeymooned at Sunshine Village. Their love of the outdoors and adventure was passed down to their four children, Peter, Barb, Lisa and Eric spent almost every weekend skiing or hiking with their parents. Summers were spent at the family cottage at Crimson Lake.
Donna was a spark in the room, her quick wit and fun loving attitude made her the hostess with the mostest. She enjoyed playing bridge with her high school and university friends and was a founding member of the infamous “Bridge Club”> This group of ladies played and remained friends for over 60 years. Donna’s love of cooking and hosting, a result of her being a Home Ec teacher, was evident every time people came over. Whether it was preparing food for the riders at the first Spruce Meadows competitions in the 70’s to compiling a cookbook with the traditional recipes of her multicultural students at Langevin, food was a central part of Donna’s life. She wanted to be sure that there was enough food for everyone. Mom was also a home stager before they were called home stagers, helping our father decorate the showhomes he built. She won an award for best décor for the Varsity Estates Showhome parade in 1972.
Upon retirement, Ebe and Donna moved to Sundre where they created even more friendships. They enjoyed travelling and hosting get togethers, going to Germany, Brazil, France and Mexico. One of mom’s highlights on her social calendar was the horse shows at Spruce Meadows.
Donna leaves behind her three surviving children, Barb Wood (Jeff), Lisa Kauffmann (Mark Deskin) and Eric Kauffmann (Caroline). She will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, who were lucky and blessed to have her as an Oma. Thomas, Catherine (Brady Leman), Ashley Wood, Caetano and Cristiano (Camilla) de Carvalho, Christopher and Jamie Kauffmann.
Donna was predeceased by her loving husband Eberhard in 2019 and her oldest son Peter in 2021.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Glencoe Club (636-29th Avenue SW) on Saturday, October 22 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Donna, visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mom, our Oma, Donna Kauffmann. Surrounded by her children, Donna quietly passed away on July 1 2022.
Born in Winnipeg to Harvey and Alma Brown, the family moved to Camrose where Donna and her two older sisters, Elaine and Lois, spent much of their childhood. After moving to Calgary, Donna attended Crescent Heights High School. There, she met many of her life long friends.
After high school, Donna attended the University of Alberta where she became a Kappa Alpha Theta and received her Bachelor of Education. She then started her teaching career that spanned over 3 decades.
Donna had a love for the outdoors and had an adventurous soul. Her love of the mountains and skiing led her to meet the love of her life. While walking from the train station in Banff towards Mount Norquay with two friends, three young German tourists asked them if they needed a ride. It was there that she met her future husband, our Dad and Opa, Eberhard Kauffmann (Ebe)
Married in December 1955, Ebe and Donna began their 53 years of marriage. Being avid skiers, they honeymooned at Sunshine Village. Their love of the outdoors and adventure was passed down to their four children, Peter, Barb, Lisa and Eric spent almost every weekend skiing or hiking with their parents. Summers were spent at the family cottage at Crimson Lake.
Donna was a spark in the room, her quick wit and fun loving attitude made her the hostess with the mostest. She enjoyed playing bridge with her high school and university friends and was a founding member of the infamous “Bridge Club”> This group of ladies played and remained friends for over 60 years. Donna’s love of cooking and hosting, a result of her being a Home Ec teacher, was evident every time people came over. Whether it was preparing food for the riders at the first Spruce Meadows competitions in the 70’s to compiling a cookbook with the traditional recipes of her multicultural students at Langevin, food was a central part of Donna’s life. She wanted to be sure that there was enough food for everyone. Mom was also a home stager before they were called home stagers, helping our father decorate the showhomes he built. She won an award for best décor for the Varsity Estates Showhome parade in 1972.
Upon retirement, Ebe and Donna moved to Sundre where they created even more friendships. They enjoyed travelling and hosting get togethers, going to Germany, Brazil, France and Mexico. One of mom’s highlights on her social calendar was the horse shows at Spruce Meadows.
Donna leaves behind her three surviving children, Barb Wood (Jeff), Lisa Kauffmann (Mark Deskin) and Eric Kauffmann (Caroline). She will be greatly missed by her seven grandchildren, who were lucky and blessed to have her as an Oma. Thomas, Catherine (Brady Leman), Ashley Wood, Caetano and Cristiano (Camilla) de Carvalho, Christopher and Jamie Kauffmann.
Donna was predeceased by her loving husband Eberhard in 2019 and her oldest son Peter in 2021.
A celebration of her life will be held at the Glencoe Club (636-29th Avenue SW) on Saturday, October 22 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Donna, visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.