Janis Kay Kaufman

Janis Kay Kaufman, 61, of Fenton, MI, formerly of Mayville, ND died Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at the Genesys Health Park in Grand Blanc Township, MI. Janis was born February 13, 1947 in Mayville, the daughter of Alf and Helen (Forsaker) Haugen. She was a graduate of the North Dakota School for the Deaf. On November 11, 1967 she married Dennis “Ricky” Kaufman at Aurdal Lutheran Church in Portland, ND. The couple resided in Flint, MI before moving to Fenton, MI. She retired from General Motors Truck and Bus in 2006 after 25 years for service. Janis was an avid bowler and was inducted in the Great Lakes Deaf Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2004. She was a good seamstress, loved playing all kinds of card games, and liked to travel seeing family and friends. Her true passion was working on her family farm in ND with her father. She was a member of FAD and worked on the FAD News for 41 years. She coached her children in bowling and baseball. Janis is survived by her husband Ricky of Fenton, MI; three children, RJ (June) Kaufman of Austin, TX, Gordie Kaufman of Flint, MI, and Justine Kaufman of Fenton, MI; grandchildren, Jayson, Chase, Rylan, Cole and Dylon; parents, Alf and Helen Haugen of Mayville; siblings, Linda Basol of Mayville and Jay Haugen of Portland; nieces and nephews; special friends, Marty and Linda Galentine; and hundreds of FAD members. She was preceded in death by her brother Gene Haugen. A memorial gathering of family and friends will take place on Friday, December 12, 2008 from 2-4 PM at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND.