It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Floyd W. Kauffman passed away unexpectedly at Yuma Medical Emergency on November 23, 2024, following a cardiac event.
He was born March 1, 1954, in Marysville, Ohio, to Raymond and Emma Kauffman of Plain City, Ohio, the fourth of seven children. He grew up on a farm outside of Plain City, Ohio, where he grew to love the farming life. He attended school at Plain City Elementary School and then at Plainview Christian School through the 10th grade. He completed his education at Columbus Evening School in Columbus, Ohio. He then worked at a youth mission in Berlin, Germany for one year. He loved Europe and returned there several times. The farming life called to him and he returned to Plain City where he did custom farming and owned Kauffman Feed and Grain. He was also a stock broker for a period of time, and then began installing racquet ball courts and aerobic dance floors around the entire United States.
He came to Montana on a hunting trip and fell in love with the mountains and lakes. He eventually moved to Stevensville, Montana in 1988. He worked as a ranch hand, built fence, and went to work as a welder at Selway Corporation. He continued to work as a welder for a few years, then joined the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, and became a traveling pipefitter, working at nuclear power plants, oil refinery shutdowns, and various industrial construction over the United States. He worked extensively in the Bakken oil fields of western North Dakota until his retirement in 2018.
He married Linda Dietz Pearson November 26, 1988 in Stevensville, Montana and became an instant father to her daughters, Colleen aged 9 years and Melissa aged 6 years. He was a good Dad, teaching them to drive and attending school conferences and concerts. He watched them graduate high school, continue their education, and had the honor of giving them away at their weddings. In later life he became interested in rocks and jewelry making which he loved. Many of his family and friends have earrings and rings that he made for them.
After retirement he and Linda bought their winter home in Yuma, AZ. He was active in the Yuma Gem and Rock Club and was a volunteer for Helping Hands of Yuma. He was also a Mason and was a Shriner as well; he loved riding the mini bikes in the parades. He was an outgoing man who made friends all over the United States. He had an enduring love of fishing and spent time on lakes in western Montana, eastern Washington, and North Dakota.
He is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Melissa Larson of Stevensville, granddaughters Elizabeth and Abigail Mackowick of Moorhead, MN, his sons-in-law Marlon Mackowick, of Moorhead, MN, and Joshua Larson of Stevensville, his brothers Eldon Kauffman and Steve Kauffman of Stevensville, MT, sisters Miriam Miller and Rhoda Kauffman of Plain City , Ohio, and Ruth Nisly of Partridge, Kansas, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins throughout the Midwest. He was preceded by his parents Raymond and Emma Kauffman, and daughter Colleen Kauffman Mackowick of Moorhead, MN, and sister Judith Kauffman of Plain City, Ohio.
A memorial service will be held May 17, 2025 at Stevensville United Methodist Church at 1 pm. Inurnment will follow at Riverview Cemetery. A gathering will follow at Blacksmith Brewery in Stevensville.