Janis Kaufman

KAUFMAN, Janis Kay - age 61, of Fenton, died Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at Genesys Health Park. Funeral services will be held 3 PM Friday, December 5, 2008 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Visitation will be held 12-9 PM Thursday and 12-2 PM Friday at the funeral home. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Flint Association of the Deaf Memorial Fund. Mrs. Kaufman was born February 13, 1947 in Portland, ND, the daughter of Alf and Helen (Forsaker) Haugen. She was a graduate of North Dakota School for the Deaf. She married Dennis 'Ricky' Kaufman on November 11, 1967. Mrs. Kaufman retired from General Motors Truck and Bus in 2006 after 25 years of service. She was an avid bowler and was inducted in the Great Lakes Deaf Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Mrs. Kaufman coached her children in bowling and baseball. She was a member of the FAD for 41 years and the U.A.W. Local # 598. Mrs. Kaufman's true passion was working on her family farm in North Dakota with her father. She was loved and will be missed by many. Surviving are: husband, Dennis 'Ricky' of Fenton; three children, RJ Kaufman and wife, June of Austin, TX, Gordie Kaufman of Flint, Justine Kaufman of Fenton; five grandchildren, Jayson, Chase, Rylan, Cole and Dylon; siblings, Linda Basol and Jay Haugen; special friends, Marty and Linda Galentine; and hundreds of FAD members. Her brother, Gene Haugen, preceded her in death. Friends may share an online tribute on the obituary page of sharpfuneralhomes.com