Fern Kaufman

Fern Jeanette Ching Kaufman passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 30, 2024.

Fern was a South Dakota native and was born on July 3rd, 1934 to Jeanette and Dewey Ching on their farm east of Castlewood SD. She was the oldest of three siblings, Elizabeth Ching Kerr (Oelwein Iowa), Marilyn Ching Abraham (Branden Valley SD, and brother William Ching (St. Charles Mo). While growing up on a farm Fern attended country school . Fern participated in 4H and enjoyed sports and participating in band and chorus. She graduated from Castlewood High School in 1952 (Valedictorian)and from Huron College in 1956 also as a (Valedictorian) with a degree in English and Christian Education. 

She met Chuck Kaufman her senior year in college. One of Chuck’s friends introduced them and let’s just say a spark was set off! After dating for 3 months became engaged and were married 6 months later on June 3rd, 1956. They stayed in Huron for two years until Chuck graduated from Huron College before moving to Elk Point where Fern taught English at the high school and Chuck began earning his Master’s degree at the University of South Dakota. 

In 1958 they started a family and their oldest child Norman was born. This was followed by Kevin in 1960 and Nanette in 1964. From 1961-63 Chuck and Fern moved to Indiana where Chuck earned his doctorate degree in Business Management. They moved back to Vermillion in 1963.

Fern was a stay at home mom for a number of years before pursuing a Master’s Degree in English from the University of South Dakota. She received her degree in 1969 and began working at the Public Library in 1973 as the Children’s librarian. She thoroughly enjoyed working at the library and working with kids. This may have been one of her favorite job as she loved sharing her love of reading through Children’s literature. 

While Fern enjoyed working at the library she had always wanted to own her own business. In 1979 she bought The Index Book and Supply and began a career as a small business owner. She eventually moved the business out to Cherry St. and retired as a bookstore owner in 1997. 

Fern had a heart for community service and firmly believed in the importance of serving in the community where you lived. Fern ran for Vermillion School Board in 1973 and was re-elected every time she ran. She served on this Board for 22 years. She also served on the state school board as well and went as a representative to the National School Board Association. She served on the Vermillion Library Board, the Hospital Board, the Lewis and Clark Mental Health Board, and the First Bank and Trust Board. Fern was also a member of PEO for over 45 years. Fern and her sister Marilyn helped start a support group for people with loved ones who suffered from Alzheimer disease. She belonged to the faith community of the United Church of Christ for over 55 years. She sang in choir and served on many committees over the course of the years.

Some of Fern’s favorite hobbies were gardening, reading, serving, and baking. When she retired she took up quilting and belonged to a quilting club. Her family is so fortunate to have been left a legacy of beautiful quilts. She also belonged to the Investors Club. Friends and family of Fern would say she is remembered by her courage, sense of humor, a strong sense of what is right, and her love of relationships with others. Fern was also known for her baking especially her homemade pies and homemade bread. The family always looked forward to her baked goods. 

They say grandchildren are the icing on the cake and for Fern this was true. She enjoyed playing and being silly with her grandchildren. She loved to read to them and pretend play with them and sew for them as well. She was always up to play any game of their choice and loved to eat popcorn with them. Her grandchildren would say that she was a good listener and often surprised them with her yummy chocolate chip cookies.

In February of 2015, after 59 years of marriage, her beloved husband Chuck passed away. Shortly after that Fern’s memory began slipping and in 2021 she was placed at Dow Rummel in assisted living and later moved to memory care and finally health care. 

Fern is survived by her three children Norman (Sheri), Kevin (Kathy), and Nanette (Mark). Fern has 6 grandchildren, Christopher, Kendra, Kelly, Matthew, Thea, and Natalie. She also has 4 great grandchildren: Hemera, Phineas, Charles, Xavian.