Frances May Kauffman

Frances was born on June 29, 1947, in Fresno CA, to Arlene and Giles Hammat. She grew up having one of the best big brothers a girl could ask for, a love for education, road trips and family gatherings. She graduated from Fresno High School in 1965 and later graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

She married the love of her life, Richard Kauffman, on December 21, 1968. The couple enjoyed a decade together before the first of 3 children arrived. Frances continued working as an educator and completed her Master of Arts in Education in 1983. Richard and Frances taught in the San Francisco Bay Area until the family relocated to Marysville, CA in 1993. Frances taught kindergarten and first grade, for 15 years, at Brittan Elementary School in Sutter CA. The couple moved to Grass Valley in 2007 where Frances retired as a teacher in 2008. She spent her retirement years enjoying her grandchildren, friends, traveling, sewing, singing, and meeting with her beloved church group from Calvary Bible Church in Grass Valley.

Frances loved to travel. She would never turn down a trip to the coast as she loved the cool ocean air and picnics at the beach. She enjoyed the drives across the country to see her brother and family in Tennessee, and she always managed to meet up with family and friends along the way.

She was an amazing seamstress and loved to sew clothing, costumes and made apparel alterations look easy. Over the years she has created costumes, swimsuits, hats, and everything in between. She loved crafting and enjoyed finding new ways to combine her love of sewing and crafting.

Frances loved to laugh, quick to share a smile and never met a stranger. She will be remembered for her quick wit, warm smile and her love of education and family. Her spirit will live on in all the lives she touched over the years.

After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's, Frances passed surrounded by love on 7/17/2026. For 3 years she resided at Grace Memory Care in Twin Falls and thrived with care from Grace staff and Idaho Home Health Hospice. What Alzheimer's took from her mind, it could never take from her spirit. She remained warm and kind spirited with a smile that could light up the room.

Frances was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard Kauffman (10/28/2024); mother, Arlene Hammat; father, Giles Hammat; sister and brother-in-law, Dawn and Wayne Temple; brother-in-law, Dale Kauffman; nephew, Jeff Temple; and nephew, Steve Kauffman. She is survived by her brother, Dick Hammat (Sharon Hammat) and their two boys Gene and Bary; son, Rich Kauffman (Lisa, Kooper); daughter, Elle Kauffman (Taelyn); daughter, Raelene Kauffman (Lucy); brother-in-law, Ron Kauffman (Betty); sister-in-law, Dena; sister-in-law, Carmen Shook (Randy), along with all the nieces and nephews that she loved watching grow and flourish.

A memorial service will be announced soon.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Frances’ memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.