"Willie" William Anthony Kaufman, son of Ronald and Sandra (Henkels) Kaufman, was born on October 17, 1977, in Heron Lake, Minnesota. Willie was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake. He attended grade school in Heron Lake and graduated from Heron Lake-Okabena-Lakefield High School with the class of 1996.

As a child, Willie was an avid reader, and he loved his dogs and going out to the farm. In school, Willie played sports, including baseball, football, basketball, track and cross-country. After graduation, Willie worked at New Vision Cooperative, then with Ron at PHC, and most recently, he managed the Heron Lake Municipal Liquor Store.

Willie loved fishing and hunting ducks, geese, and deer, especially with Tyson, Jaydin, Mason, Kaden, and Xandyr. He also loved making deer jerky. Over the years, Willie spent lots of time with his cousins. He enjoyed camping at Talcot Lake and watching the MN Twins, Vikings and the Wild.

Willie lived in Heron Lake all his life. He was in 4-H and was a member of the Marsh Club and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

On Friday, February 24, 2023, Willie passed away at home with family by his side.

Left to cherish Willie's memory are his parents, Ronald and Sandra Kaufman; siblings, Aaron Kaufman, Theresa (Dan) Dirks and their children, Tyson, Jaydin and Xandyr, and Neil Kaufman and his children, Mason and Kaden; special friend, Lissa Erickson; as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Willie was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bernard and Clara Henkels, Theresa and Clarence Molitor, and Earl Kaufman.

Blessed be the memory of Willie Kaufman.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Willie Kaufman, age 45, of Heron Lake, will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, March 3rd at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake with Father Pratap officiating. A private, family burial will be at a later date in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Heron Lake.

A time of visitation and gathering will be held on Thursday, March 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Heron Lake. Visitation will continue Friday for one hour prior to the service at the church in Heron Lake.

Willie Kaufman passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Friday, February 24th at his home in Heron Lake.