It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Jerry Kaufman, 74, of Marion, SD — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
Behind every name is a life, and behind every life are the people who loved it.
The story begins in 1951, with the arrival of a life that would be cherished by many.
Grief is love with nowhere left to go.
Jerry Kaufman, 74 of Marion, passed away on December 8, 2025. Visitation with family present will be from 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker. Arrangements provided by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.Jerry Myron Kaufman, 74, of Marion, South Dakota, passed peacefully at home on December 8th. Born to Myron C.(76) and Darlene A. Kaufman(90), both now departed, Jerry grew up with the values that shaped his entire life: honesty, hard work, and devotion to the land.Jerry wasn't just someone you met, he was someone you experienced. He had a sense of humor that hit you fast, sharp, and perfectly timed. Whether he meant to or not, he could have a whole room laughing in seconds. Jerry was an amazing and animated storyteller. He had that rare gift where people naturally gathered around him without being asked. He'd start a story with a spark in his eye, throw his hands around, raise his voice (and eyebrow while clearing his throat) at all the right moments, and next thing you knew everyone was leaning in, smiling, waiting for the punchline or twist he was building up to.Jerry was well known in the Marion community, admired for his straightforward way of speaking and his genuine nature. He never sugar-coated his thoughts, never hid his feelings, and never pretended to be anything other than exactly who he was, a trait that made him respected, loved, and remembered by all who met him.Jerry found his greatest joy outdoors, working the land, breathing fresh air, and living in the rhythm of the seasons. Farming was not just his occupation but his calling, his identity, and his lifelong passion. He might have lost a few bales of hay on the oil road by Central Farmers Cooperative but he always went back for them no matter the cost.He is survived by his son, Justin, his brother, Mark and many nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Darlene.
