Winifred Ann (Kaufman) Saner, 86, died peacefully in her home May 17, 2026. She was born Jan. 15, 1940, to Wesley and Alice (Graber) Kaufman near Marion, S.D. She was baptized in Salem Mennonite Church of Freeman.

Winifred graduated from Freeman Academy in 1958 and completed an associate in arts degree at Freeman Junior College. She taught first and second grades for two years at Scotland, S.D., and then went to Bethel College to complete her bachelor of arts in elementary education. In 1964, she was recruited to teach fourth grade in Markham, Ill., where she spent three years. Moving to Germany, she volunteered for a year at a Mennonite Children’s Home, followed by two years at the Mennonite Central Committee office in Frankfurt. 

Returning to South Dakota, she accepted a position as bookkeeper at Freeman Junior College. There she met Leroy Saner, who was teaching at the college. They were married Aug. 11, 1971. While raising two sons, she served as treasurer and bookkeeper for Northern District Conference of the General Conference Mennonite Church. She helped open a conference office, was instrumental in establishing an MCC SELFHELP Crafts and Thrift store and was one of the leads for planning and construction of a building to house both the store and conference office. She was an active member of Salem-Zion Mennonite Church.

In 1994, Leroy accepted a position in the development office of Associated (now Anabaptist) Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., and they found a new church family at Hively Avenue Mennonite Church. Winifred worked for Mennonite Board of Missions before accepting the job of administrative secretary at the Hively Church for almost 20 years.

Dedicated to service and hospitality, Winifred took joy from working in her flower and vegetable gardens, sharing meals and fellowship. She loved crafting quilts, making music, keeping genealogical records and networking with extended family. She traveled globally with Leroy, and they celebrated nearly 55 years of loving partnership. 

Preceded in death by her sister and parents, she cherished her sons, Lelyn Saner of Silver Spring, Md., and Kerry Saner-Harvey (Jennifer) of Winnipeg, Man.; and two grandchildren.