Obituary for Zelma M. Kafton
Zelma M. Kafton, age 103, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016, at Maple Heights of Mapleton, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Father Dan Greving will officiate the service, with the committal services following in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a Rosary will be held at 5:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 23, 2016 at Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.armstrongfuneral.com
Zelma Kafton, the daughter of Joseph and Clara (Musser) Uhl was born at home on the family farm near Mapleton, Iowa, on September 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 October 6, 1931, Zelma was united into marriage to Nels P. Kafton at the St. Patrick’s Parsonage in Danbury, Iowa. 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, Iowa, 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 like 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, Iowa, Kenneth and Peggy Kafton of Mapleton, Iowa, David and Celene Kafton of Castle Rock, Colorado, Joan and Bruce Utterback of Hemet, California, and Carla Fick of Battle Creek, Iowa; thirty grandchildren and five step grandchildren; seventy eight great grandchildren and twenty six step great grandchildren; thirty nine great -great grandchildren and twenty five 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 and one great-great grandchild; sister, Evon Clark ; and three sons-in-law, Charles Haggerty, Kenneth Wessling, and Harold Fick.
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A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Father Dan Greving will officiate the service, with the committal services following in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., a Rosary will be held at 5:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 23, 2016 at Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa. The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.armstrongfuneral.com
Zelma Kafton, the daughter of Joseph and Clara (Musser) Uhl was born at home on the family farm near Mapleton, Iowa, on September 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 October 6, 1931, Zelma was united into marriage to Nels P. Kafton at the St. Patrick’s Parsonage in Danbury, Iowa. 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, Iowa, 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 like 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, Iowa, Kenneth and Peggy Kafton of Mapleton, Iowa, David and Celene Kafton of Castle Rock, Colorado, Joan and Bruce Utterback of Hemet, California, and Carla Fick of Battle Creek, Iowa; thirty grandchildren and five step grandchildren; seventy eight great grandchildren and twenty six step great grandchildren; thirty nine great -great grandchildren and twenty five 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 and one great-great grandchild; sister, Evon Clark ; and three sons-in-law, Charles Haggerty, Kenneth Wessling, and Harold Fick.
Previous Events
Wake
Friday
23
Sep
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home - Mapleton
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Rosary at 5 p.m. Vigil Service at 7 p.m.
Service
Saturday
24
Sep
10:30 AM
St. Mary's Catholic Church Mapleton
201 N 8th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Mapleton, IA 51034
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