Zelma M. Kafton 1912 - 2016

KAFTON, MUSSER, UHL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/8/2016 at 14:36:56

Mapleton Press
29 September 2016

Zelma M. Kafton, 103, of Mapleton, passed away on Monday, Sept. 19, at Maple Heights of Mapleton.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton.

Father Dan Greving officiated the service with the committal services following in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton.

Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 23, from 5-7 p.m., with a Rosary held at 5 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7 p.m., at Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton.

Zelma Kafton, the daughter of Joseph and Clara (Musser) Uhl was born at home on the family farm near Mapleton on Sept. 27, 1912.

Zelma first attended country school, then St. Patrick’s Academy School, and graduated with the Class of 1930 from Mapleton High School.

On Oct. 6, 1931, Zelma was united into marriage to Nels P. Kafton at the St. Patrick’s Parsonage in Danbury. To this union, six children were born, Joan, Carla, Larry and Garry “twins,” Kenneth, and David.

Zelma was an efficient homemaker, adapting to the many changes through her life. Zelma and Nels farmed in the Mapleton area for many years until Nels passed away on March 24, 1990. She continued to have avid interest in farming throughout her lifetime. Zelma moved into an apartment in Mapleton in March of 2005.

Zelma was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and devoutly practiced her Catholic faith. She was a very active member of St. Mary’s Guild, and served as an officer in the local parish serving in active leadership roles for DCCW.

Zelma and Nels enjoyed traveling. She had a deep love for children, which was evident through the five generation of her family. Zelma was a perfectionist with her craft interest, which included but was not limited to quilting, crocheting, knitting, ceramics, and sewing. Zelma liked to keep track of her family by keeping family genealogy.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving children and their spouses, Garry and Linda Kafton of Westphalia, Kenneth and Peggy Kafton of Mapleton, David and Celene Kafton of Castle Rock, Colo., Joan and Bruce Utterback of Hemet, Calif., and Carla Fick of Battle Creek; 30 grandchildren and five step-grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren and 26 step-great-grandchildren; 39 great-great-grandchildren and 25 step-great-great-grandchildren; along with extended family and friends.

Zelma was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Clara Uhl; husband, Nels P. Kafton; son, Larry Kafton, and his wife, Connie ; granddaughter, Lois Beth Utterback; great-grandchildren, Stefanie Capraro and Leo Maurice Gaukel; one step-great-grandchild; one great-great-grandchild; sister, Evon Clark; and three sons-in-law, Charles Haggerty, Kenneth Wessling, and Harold Fick.

The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa was in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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