Carolyn Margene (Gutwein) Kaufman of Cissna Park, Illinois went to be with the Lord on May 25, 2023 at the age of 94.
Born on August 17, 1928 in Francesville, Indiana to the late Conrad and Lena Gudeman Gutwein, Carolyn married Calvin Kaufman of Cissna Park, IL on June 6, 1948, who proceeded her in death in 2017, just short of their 70th anniversary. The union bore five children, the oldest of which, Steven, passed away in 2015. Her four surviving children are Cindy Stock (husband Bob) of Cary, NC, Kevin (wife Sandy) West Lafayette, IN, Kent (wife Rhonda) of Cissna Park, IL, and Billy (wife Malissa) of Kankakee, IL. She is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren and eighteen (soon-to-be nineteen) great-grandchildren and a sister, Irma Germann of San Pierre, IN.
Preceding her in death are sisters Helen Hild, Ruth Heinold, and Florence Bucher and brothers Ray, Clarence, Lewis, Richard (Bud), and Melvin Gutwein.
A founding member of Grace Bible Church in Cissna Park, IL, Carolyn was much involved in world missions and women’s ministry as a teacher and mentor. She and her husband were also instrumental in the founding of the Arc of Iroquois County, Watseka, IL, which provides services to individuals with special needs.
Carolyn and Cal raised their family across the highway from Kaufman Grain Company. After living for a time at Kellart Lake outside of Cissna Park, they (and son, Steven) moved to a house beside the lake at the beloved Kaufmann Timber. Finally, they spent fourteen happy years amongst family and friends at Creekside Prairie Community in Cissna Park.
Carolyn will be remembered for her fervent love of Jesus and of people, her hospitality, her love of reading, canning, and baking, her beautiful singing voice, her organized and clean house, and her sweet and infectious smile. (But she will always be most famous for being the mother of Stevo!)
She was an empathetic listener. When someone shared something important or personal with her, they felt heard and understood. And she was a prayer warrior. She took her own concerns, and those of others to the Lord.
No doubt, upon arrival in heaven, Jesus spoke these blessed words to Carolyn, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Funeral Services will be held 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Grace Bible Church at Kellart Lake with Pastor Trey Scheffer officiating.
Burial will take place in Cissna Park Cemetery, Cissna Park, Illinois.
Visitation will be two hours prior beginning at 12:30 p.m. before the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Grace Bible Missions, Kankakee Area Youth for Christ, or The ARC of Iroquois County.
