- Date Of Birth: October 1, 1920
- Date Of Death: February 19, 2020
- State: Idaho
Helen Bernice Kaufman died February 19, 2020, at the age of 99 years. She was born October 1, 1920 at Mercy Hospital in Nampa, Idaho, to Frank James Motzko and Martha Viola Volkmer. Helen spent her early years in Marsing. Her father owned the Marsing Hardware Store. Their lifestyle was rustic but rewarding. Helen had two cousins, Dorothy and Dorlene Volkmer, who lived close. The three of them were like triplets. Later she lived with another cousin, Mary Ellen Gleason, in Boise and attended Saint Theresa’s Academy, where she met many wonderful lifelong friends. After graduation, she attended the College of Idaho. It was a fun time as she was one of the few students who had a car. She transferred to the University of Idaho, became a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, and made more wonderful lifelong friends. She met her future husband, Samuel Kaufman, from Boise, while at the University.
Helen was very artistic. She became talented at painting and loved to paint with a group of plein air painters.
When the children were young, summer weekends were spent in McCall at the cabin. She would pack up the station wagon with kids and clothes on Fridays and return Sundays with the same kids and a pile of dirty laundry, and memories of another good weekend. Sunbathing on the dock, evening boat rides, bridge games, and Saturday nights at Shore Lodge made it all worth it. It was an exciting time. The country was at peace and the economy growing.
Most importantly, she was a huge supporter of her four boys. She helped them with whatever activity they chose, from playing the trumpet to water skiing. They say a boy’s best friend is his mother, and she had four best friends in her children. Their relationships were always positive and supportive. There was never a time of difficulty, in spite of the fact that at times her boys gave her just cause. They had no secrets as their escapes were reported around the social circles in what seemed like nanoseconds.
Helen was a devout Catholic and volunteered in many capacities, including a mission in Mexico during her time in Scottsdale.
Helen will be remembered and missed. She was preceded in death by her husband Sam, her son George (Arlene), her parents Frank and Viola Motzko, and grandson JimJim Kaufman. She is survived by sons James (Charlene), Frank (Betty), and Randy. She was blessed with three wonderful daughters-in-law, who were a Godsend as she only had boys. Also surviving are seven grandchildren Samantha Sutherland, Jeffrey Kaufman, Christopher Kaufman, Kelly Kaufman, Sarah Scheff, Joseph Kaufman, and Matthew Kaufman, and five great grandchildren, Samuel Kaufman, Chloe Scheff, Petra Scheff, Sydney Kaufman, and Carson Kaufman.
The family would like to thank the staff at Emerson House and Treasure Valley Hospice for the wonderful care and treatment they gave to Helen in her final years.
