Hazel J. Kaufman

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Hazel J. Kaufman, 90, of Ridgway and lifelong resident of Gallatin County, died peacefully at her home Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.

Hazel was born on the family farm near Junction on Dec. 3, 1919, to the late Raymond and Carrie (Drone) Kaufman. She was a faithful member of the Catholic religion, being a member of the St. Joseph Church. Hazel was always a very kind, gentle person, she was always so polite and had a smile for you when she saw you. By growing up on the family farm, she learned to have a very good work ethic. She was always working around the farm doing all kinds of things. She was a faithful servant to her sisters for many years before her illness. Hazel will be greatly missed by so many.

Hazel is survived by her sister, Helena Hish of Ridgway; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Lawrence Kaufman; and three sisters, Kathleen Gates, Dorothy Kaufman and Louise Kaufman.

Funeral Mass for Hazel will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ridgway with Fr. Mark Stec officiating. The family will receive friends at the Cox and Son Funeral Home in Ridgway from 8 a.m. until funeral Mass time on Wednesday. Hazel will be laid to rest next to her sisters in St. Joseph Cemetery in Ridgway.

You may leave a note comfort to the family at the Internet site www.coxandson.com.