Dale Kaufman

Longtime Faribault Businessman, DW "Bill" Kaufman, age 91 of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (formerly of Faribault, Minnesota) died peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday morning, July 21, 2016.

A celebration of life will be held at Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Monday, October 3, 2016 from 5 to 7pm with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 pm. A private interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Faribault, with military honors provided by Rice County Central Veterans Association.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School in memory of Bill.

Bill was born September 24, 1924 in Dubuque, Iowa to Frederick and Catherine Kaufman. Growing up in Dubuque, Bill loved to play baseball which lead to his opportunity to play on a US service team after his time in Europe.

Bill was a decorated Staff Sergeant in the WWII Army Air Corps who flew over 40 combat missions, principally over Southern France and the Balkans, as a bombardier and nose gunner in a B-24 Liberator squadron stationed in Naples, Italy. He received a European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with five Bronze Service Stars, an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, an American Theater Service Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Service Ribbon. As with most WWII veterans, he never talked much about those years.

He married Eileen Katherine Moran of Dubuque, Iowa on March 3, 1945 in Spokane, Washington while still serving in WWII. Eileen took the train out to meet him in Spokane, and they were married by the Catholic Chaplain on the base.

He converted to Catholicism, and loved the faith. He and Eileen (who was 100% Irish Catholic) were joyful Catholics, finding all of the beauty and none of the pain in the Church. They were longtime parishioners of Immaculate Conception.

Bill and Eileen had two children -- son, Bill, and daughter, Mary Jo -- whom they sent to Immaculate Conception Catholic Grade School, Bethlehem Academy High School, and Catholic Universities.

They moved to Minnesota in 1950 and Bill began his career as the Merchandise Manager at Ochs Brothers Department Store in Downtown Faribault. He later became a part owner. Bill was a respected businessman who loved the retail industry. He considered Ochs to be like a family and felt that everyone working at Ochs should be treated with respect. His management philosophy was, "if you treat people well -- as they deserve to be treated -- they will be good employees and will, in turn, treat your customers well."

In the 1980's, Bill became the sole owner of Ochs Bros. He expanded the company, opening retail boutiques in Waseca (Ochs of Waseca) and in the Faribault West Mall (Ochs West Connection).

He was an active member of the Faribault Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club, the American Legion, the VFW and the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid golfer and bowler. He participated in city bowling leagues, and he and Eileen were active members of the Faribault Golf and Country Club for many years.
Family and friends were very dear to Bill, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with both, traveling, participating in golf tournaments, fishing, playing poker and gin rummy, hosting cocktail parties, and attending sporting and cultural events.

Bill is survived by son Bill (Maryellen) Kaufman of Edina and daughter Mary Jo (Martin) Kaufman Malecha of New Brighton; five grandchildren: Kristen (Frank) Kaufman Sackett of Santa Monica, CA, Kelly Kaufman and Ryan Fruit of Edina, David (Kari) Kaufman of Minneapolis, Matthew Malecha of Bryan, TX, and Patrick Malecha of New York, NY; five great grandchildren: Molly, Miles and Fiona Fruit, and Luna and Sadie Sackett; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen (August 1988); parents; brothers, Clifford and Ralph; and sister, Ruth.