Elizabeth "Betty" Kaufman

Elizabeth Kaufman, born 8/22/1927 in Broken Bow, NE, went to her heavenly home on May 26, 2024.
Betty, as she was known by family, friends, and colleagues, is “on the road again” with her beloved husband Deacon Ray Kaufman.

Betty’s mother died unexpectedly on May 1st, 1934 when Betty was 6 and her brother was 2. Due to the Great Depression and drought, Betty’s father needed to leave their farm and move from the area for work. Betty and her brother were raised by their paternal grandparents, Nellie and John Sweeney, in Grand Island, NE.

After graduating from St. Mary’s High School, Betty attended Grand Island Business College and began working for retired Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Bayard H. Payne & Sons.

Betty had noticed her best friend’s older brother through the years, mostly at St. Mary’s rectory, but he really got her attention the day his car stopped at the crosswalk for her to pass, and he honked just as she walked in front of him! They were married June 29th, 1949 in Grand Island. They moved to Wichita, KS four years later for Ray’s job with Boeing Aircraft. In 1961 they decided El Paso, TX offered the best chance for their children’s allergies to improve, and Ray took a job at White Sands Missile Range. When their youngest child started school, Betty began working as secretary to the President and Board of Directors at Northgate National Bank (now Chase Bank). In 1984, Betty retired as one of the first female Senior Vice Presidents of a national bank in El Paso.

They converted a van for traveling before retiring to New Braunfels, and enjoyed trips to the West coast, visits to Ray’s sisters (Sisters of St. Francis in Milwaukie), and to the East coast for Ray’s Navy reunions. The start of every trip’s drive was Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”, followed by prayers for a safe trip, for their family, and for others’ special intentions.

Ray was ordained a Deacon in El Paso on May 1st, 1981 and continued his ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. They worked together with a special interest in bereavement, and helped establish the Ministry to the Sick and Homebound at Sts. Peter and Paul. Ray retired from the Deaconate shortly before his death on June 2nd, 2006. Betty remained an active member of Catholic Daughters of America and St. Ann’s Christian Mother’s Altar Society, slowing down only after health problems developed in 2014.

Betty and Ray were energetic and loving, working as a team dedicated to their family and Catholic faith. They devoted countless hours to parish projects wherever they lived. While raising their five children they returned to Nebraska and Kansas annually to spend time with family and friends. Betty was especially close to “the Sweeney boys” – her brother’s five sons and their families.

Throughout her life, Betty was known for her quick wit and caring for others. In addition to work and family, she helped wherever and however she could, was an excellent seamstress, and especially good at baking…. Her pies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cakes contributed to many a sweet tooth!
Betty and Ray are celebrating their reunion in heaven with cherished sister-in-law Margaret and her husband Herb (Ray’s brother), son Ray John and his partner Hector Schultz, with Betty’s brother John (JB) Sweeney, wife Bernice and sons Mike, Pat and Paul, with their great granddaughters Ainsley and Briley Poitevent, and their lifelong best friends, Cecelia and Archie Meairs.

Betty will be dearly missed. She is survived by her children, Mary Beth, Bill (Gloria deceased 2010), Teresa (Eric Hayden), Tom (Becky Wynne), “sixth child” Archie Meairs III, nephews Charles Sweeney (Rachelle) and Daniel Sweeney (Mary), Betty’s sister-in-law Dr. Karen Sweeney, granddaughters Dawn Rhea (Taylor Poitevent), Dawn Michelle (Claude Vincent), Katrina Kaufman, and grandsons Ryan Miller and Clayton Kaufman, great grandchildren Wyatt, Chloe, Ella, and Hayes, as well as her half-brother, Jimmy Sweeney.

Her children and family thank the caring staff at Gruene Senior Living for being there 24/7 for Betty the past almost 6 years and are especially grateful she was able to return home to GSL, supported by Hope Hospice and HomeWell Care Services these last months. She took an active interest in all the staff and could always be counted on for astute observations and unexpectedly direct humor!
Betty’s wish is that you find ways to CELEBRATE! every day you have.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School or the charity of your choice in her memory.
A Holy Rosary will precede the Memorial Service on June 4th at 7PM at Lux Funeral Home with visitation from 5-8PM.
A funeral Mass will be held on June 5th at 10AM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church with reception directly afterwards in St. Mary’s Hall.
Per Betty’s request, burial will be private.