Verne LeRoy Kauffmann, age 86, formerly of Wells, died Saturday, April 2, 2005, at the Ah-Gwah-Ching Health Care Center in Walker, Minn.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells with the Rev. Paul Baker officiating. Visitation will be held at BrussHeitner Funeral Home in Wells on Thursday, April 7, from 4 to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to services at church on Friday. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Wells.

Verne LeRoy Kauffmann was born Dec. 9, 1918, the son of Ernest John and Helena (Klinder) Kauffmann in Vivian Township, Waseca County. On June 10, 1943, he was united in marriage to Norma E. Fratzke in Vivian Township, Waseca County. They were later divorced. He was a carpenter and he enjoyed fishing. He also enjoyed garage sales and fixing things.

Verne L. Kauffmann is survived by six sons: Gary and his wife Marlene Kauffmann, Gene and his wife Heather, James and his wife Pam, Steve and his wife Kathy, all of Wells, Paul and his wife Julie of Forest City, Iowa, and Jon and his wife Ann of Ellsworth, Wis.; 18 grandchildren: Michael Kauffmann, Laura Love, Lenny, Faith and Randy Kauffmann, Eric and Craig Kauffmann, Kereen Johannsen, Elizabeth Brock, Aubrey Kauffmann, Mandy, April and Nicholas Kauffmann, and Alisha, Tyler, Isaac, Caleb and Hope Kauffmann; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; former wife: Norma Kauffmann of Wells; one brother, Donald Kauffmann of Minnesota Lake; two sisters: Evelyn (Dolly) Tolzmann of Minnesota Lake, and Dorothy Nietzel of Waterville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Harold, Roy and Adrian Kauffmann; one sister,: Lorene Schwartz; and two granddaughters: Jamie Lynn and one in infancy.