Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Josephine "Jo" Kauffman, the free-spirited daughter of late Haines centenarian Hazel Englund, died Jan. 6 in Anchorage from effects of advanced dementia. She was 73.

Kauffman grew up in Haines and kept her mother on her toes, according to Kauffman's daughter, Mikki Chandler of Anchorage. Jo left town on the first ferry after high school graduation, looking for the excitement of the big city, her daughter said. Jo's antics included catching the family woodshed on fire while hiding there smoking, and climbing out of her second-story bedroom at 2 Mile Haines Highway to meet up with friends.  

Kauffman was named for her aunt Jo Jurgeleit, a gritty Porcupine prospector who late in life roamed the upper valley with only one leg. They spent many evenings enjoying each other's company and playing pinochle.

Kauffman worked as a bartender in Anchorage and for more than 20 years as a receptionist at a medical office, earning a reputation for going the extra mile for patients.

She enjoyed camping, hiking, four-wheeling and fishing and went adventuring every summer weekend for the last 30 years, her daughter said. "Whenever someone would say it was about time to stop fishing and go home, she'd miraculously get a 'nibble,' and we would have to stay just a little bit longer," Chandler said. "She was a master campfire builder and loved dinking around, collecting firewood and enjoying her family," Chandler said.

Bill Thomas was among 13 students in Jo's Haines High School class of 1965. Nicknamed José, Jo joined friends who fished for trout at the current site of the trailer park near 1 Mile, Thomas said. "We did a lot of fishing as kids. Or we'd walk out (to the Englund) house for the hell of it. Back then, we had nothing to lose."

Thomas said he would catch up with Kauffman during her summer visits to Haines to see family.

Daughter Chandler said her mom would go fishing at Chilkoot Lake or 14 Mile or go berry picking in the upper valley.

 Kauffman also cultivated a tight friendship with her grandchild, Shelby, who dyed her grandmother's hair pink and blue. "Shelby was her pride and joy and they adored each other," her daughter said.  

 Kauffman is survived by sister Emily Zimbrich of Haines, daughter Mikki and son-in-law Don Chandler of Anchorage, grandchildren Shelby, Eric, Calisa and Latasha and 10 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by brother Glen Englund and sister Keitsie Anderson.

In lieu of a service, Kauffman's family asks people to visit an elder, "even if the elder doesn't remember you."