GOSHEN [mdash] Linda Kauffman, 83, died on Wednesday, Aug. 27, after suffering a stroke. Linda was born Oct. 5, 1941, in Archibold, Ohio, to Floyd and Bertha (Spengler) Nofziger, one of six children. After growing up on the farms of western Ohio and the beaches of Sarasota, Florida, she attended college at Hesston College in Kansas and Goshen College. During her studies, she met and married Sanford (Sandy) Kauffman. They eventually settled in Elkhart, where they had two children. Linda got her bachelor and master's degrees in education, and spent her career as a school teacher at Roosevelt Elementary and Eastwood Elementary in Elkhart. After she retired, she moved with Sandy to Crown Point, where they lived for 20 years. Linda continued to train student teachers and volunteer with educational groups for many years. In 2021, Linda and Sandy returned to Goshen to move into Greencroft. Linda is survived by her husband; her son, Jonathan (spouse: Christian); her daughter, Amy Kauffman Bourneuf; and two grandchildren, Maxime and Naomi. She has also left behind hundreds of beloved family members, former students, and — most importantly — friends. Along with teaching children, Linda's great gift was for making friends and keeping them, whether in her church communities (Southside Fellowship, Westminster Presbyterian, Eighth Street Mennonite) or in line at the neighborhood Starbucks. She valued those relationships above almost everything. Linda walked into a room with a smile that drew people to her, and walked out knowing everyone's name. We all miss her terribly. Friends may call between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 S. Main St., Goshen. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Eighth Street Mennonite Church, 602 S. Eighth Street, Goshen.