Linda Lee Ingalls Kaufman, 75, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Friday, September 15 at a care center in Sergeant Bluff; Linda had been suffering from the complications of Lewy Body Dementia.

Services will be 11:00am Thursday, September 21, at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, with the Rev. Tim Morris officiating. Visitation with be available at 10am, and a luncheon and time with the family will immediately follow.

Linda was born February 24, 1948, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Clarence and Pearl Ingalls. She grew up in a large family and went to school in Hinton, Iowa. She met and then married David Kaufman on June 11, 1966, in Sioux City, Iowa. They had one daughter, Patti, then moved to Norwalk, California. They expanded their family and had one son, Jon, and another daughter, April. They lived in California for almost two decades when they decided to return to their Midwest roots and relocated to an acreage in Sergeant Bluff.

Over the years and across the miles, Linda always loved to cook, sew, and plan parties, particularly large family reunions. As the family continued to grow and spread out, she found it even more important to make time to get everyone together. In Iowa, she and David had a great location for hosting events, and no matter how many attended, there was always room for more.

Perhaps what Linda loved most of all was caring for children. From babysitting as a young girl, to helping as a nanny, to Bible school, Sunday School, Junior Church, teaching at a preschool, to feeding thousands of students over the years as the baker at Sergeant Bluff Schools, Linda truly enjoyed kids. She was energized by the interaction, playful banter, and the purpose she felt when she was supporting them. The kids had fun with her also; so much so, many ended up calling her Grandma as a term of endearment.

Working at the Sergeant Bluff schools was Linda’s favorite job; she continued working there until Covid forced her to stay home. The pandemic was difficult for many people, and especially cruel to people with dementia. Without her normal routine, her disease quickly took over and kept her from enjoying her retirement.

Survivors include her husband David and their three children, daughter Patti Johnson and JJ, son Jon Kaufman and Melanie and Judy, and daughter April Stierman and David. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren Ali, Alex, Raven, Kallie, Jordyn, Tanner, and Cierra, two sisters, Jean Protiva and Russ of Florida, Ruth Morales of Kansas, and a brother, Paul Ingalls and Denise of Sioux City, along with many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Orville, Loran, and Larry, and two sisters, Vera Louise, and Darlene Curphey..