Tina Kauffman

Tina Kauffman ObituaryVisit the Fisher Funeral Home, Inc. - Albany website to view the full obituary.Tina (Klassen) Kauffman, 98, died March 11, 2026, in Albany, Oregon. She was born in Blumenort, Saskatchewan on November 6, 1927, to Gerhard and Anna (Unger) Klassen. In 1937, Tina and her farming family left Saskatchewan's Dust Bowl, moving to Fork River, Manitoba. There, Tina accepted Christ as her Savior. Tina loved school but sadly discontinued after grade 8 as there were no nearby high schools.After a move with her parents to Abbotsford, BC in 1948, Tina started high school at age 20, finishing in three years. She then went on to graduate as a registered nurse from Royal Columbian Hospital. Tina returned to Manitoba to attend Canadian Mennonite Bible College. Upon completing Bible college, she served with Mennonite Central Committee in Jordan for two years as a nurse. Through MCC, Tina met Ray Kauffman. During their MCC terms the two wrote letters, visited and became engaged. They married in 1959 in Frankfurt, Germany, where Ray served with MCC.The couple settled in Oregon, Ray's home, first in Lebanon where daughter Pat was born. After their move to Albany in 1961, Lynette joined the family. Each of the girls' births cost around $20 thanks to the discount Tina received from her employer, Lebanon Community Hospital. Tina's nursing was important to her and the family's income. Employers included Lebanon Community Hospital, the Mennonite Home and the State of Oregon. She retired in 1990. The Kauffman's wintered in California in their RV for many years, moving to the Mennonite Village in 2014. Tina enjoyed gardening, sewing, writing and cooking. She will be remembered as friendly, hospitable, generous and a lifelong learner. Motherhood was her most significant role; she was a caring, attentive and affectionate mother.Survivors include husband Ray of Albany, daughters Pat (Wayne) Stutzman of Payette, ID, Lynette (Brian) Plank of Zelienople, PA, grandson, Nathan Plank of Pittsburgh, PA, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings George, Nettie Redekop, Annie Peters, Lena Peters, Henry, and Justine Spiers. A Celebration of Life will be held at Albany Mennonite Church, where Tina had been an active member, on April 4, 2026, at 1:00pm.Donations in Tina's memory may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.