Our beloved mother, Janet Doreen Kaufmann, passed away on August 31, 2026, at the age of 86 after living with stage IV colon cancer for a year.
Janet was born on June 7, 1940, in Mulbarton, Norfolk, England, to Gertrude Ruth Larter (Dale) and Edward William Larter. She grew up in Suffolk, England, surrounded by a large and loving family. Janet’s birth mother, Gertie, was one of eighteen siblings, many of whom lived in Lowestoft, Suffolk. Gertie passed away shortly after Janet’s birth, and Janet was raised by her aunt and uncle, Nora May Smith (Larter) and Jack Harold Smith, who held a special place in her heart throughout her life. Her paternal grandmother, Betsy Larter (Blogg), also played a significant role in Janet’s childhood, providing stability and comfort. Born during the Second World War, Janet’s earliest childhood memories were shaped by wartime England. These experiences stayed with Janet throughout her life and contributed to her lifelong interest in history.
In 1962, Janet married the love of her life, Paul Louis Kaufmann, an American who was stationed in England while serving in the United States Air Force. Together they had two children, Jane Lois Kaufmann Sanker and Kristopher Lee Kaufmann. Janet and Paul moved to Texas, Michigan, and back to England before Paul was reassigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1974. During their years in the American West, they enjoyed camping and traveling together in their Winnebago, exploring much of the western United States.
After Paul’s death in 2002, Janet spent fourteen years living with Kris, his then-wife, Tracy, and their sons, Alexander and Zachary, in Thousand Oaks, California. She later made her home with Jane and her sons, Julian and Jon, in Fayetteville. These years allowed Janet to be involved in her grandchildren’s everyday lives, something that brought her tremendous happiness.
Janet treasured the friendships she carried from her childhood in England and also made wonderful lifelong friends in Las Vegas, where she worked part-time as a telephone operator at JCPenney. She loved people, conversation, and storytelling. She was warm, funny, engaging, and easy to be around. Janet had a gift for making people feel special because the people in her life truly were special to her.
Her family was at the center of her life. She loved spending time with her children and was enormously proud of her grandchildren. She remained close to her extended family in England and returned many times throughout her life to visit family, friends, and the country she always loved. Although her family was spread around the world in the United States, England, Australia, and South Africa, she stayed connected through Facebook. She always sent cards and wrote long letters. She wanted to be a part of everyone’s lives.
Janet was creative, curious, and intelligent. As a young woman, she sewed all of her own clothes, a skill she learned from her aunt Nora, who was a professional tailor. She was an avid reader with a particular interest in history and the British royal family. Her impressive knowledge of geography and wartime Europe led to many interesting discussions. During the 2020 pandemic, Janet took up jigsaw puzzles and completed nearly one hundred 1,000-piece puzzles. She was always up for a grilled cheese sandwich, which she considered a delicacy. Janet brought humor and personality to everyday life. She was also deeply generous. As Nora used to say, “She would give the clothes off her back.” She enjoyed traveling, conversation, family stories, and, most of all, simply being together with the people she loved.
Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Louis Kaufmann; her birth parents, Gertrude Ruth Larter and Edward William Larter; her aunt and uncle who raised her, Nora May Smith and Jack Harold Smith; and her siblings, Betty Rudd, Jean Youngman, and Brian Larter.
She is survived by her children, Jane Lois Kaufmann Sanker and Kristopher Lee Kaufmann (Marcie Griffin-Kaufmann); her grandchildren, Julian Sanker, Jon Sanker, Alexander Kaufmann, Zachary Kaufmann, Kane Griffin, and Jackson Griffin; her brothers, David Smith (Jean) and Roger Smith (Maggie); her former son-in-law, Dan Sanker; her former daughter-in-law, Tracy O’Connell; her sisters-in-law, Bev Kaufmann and Janet Richards; and many nieces and nephews whom she adored.
Janet will be remembered for her warmth, her wonderful sense of humor, her stories, and the genuine interest she took in the lives of others. She had a way of drawing people toward her and making them feel welcome and loved. Above all, Janet loved her family deeply. She leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, affection, and memories that will continue to be shared by those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. She loved life, and she will be greatly missed.
In accordance with Janet’s wishes, there will be no traditional funeral service. Her family will gather privately at a later date to scatter her ashes in the Pacific Ocean, reuniting her with her beloved husband, Paul.
For those wishing to honor her memory, the family suggests donations be made in Janet’s name to the American Cancer Society or to the Circle of Life Hospice in Northwest Arkansas.