GREAT FALLS — In the video above, Tim McGonigal reports on the passing of Ike Kaufman, an iconic business man and civic leader in Great Falls.
- Video: tourists run - Yellowstone explosion
- The Ivy nursing home is closing
- Who is performing at Montana State Fair?
- Recent Obituaries on KRTV
When it came to caring for his family, his business and his community, very few could measure up to Ike Kaufman.
The longtime owner and operator of Kaufman's Menswear in downtown Great Falls passed away over the weekend at the age of 88.
While he’s well known for running the men’s clothing shop that bears his family name, his impact reached far beyond suits and ties.
In November, Kaufman’s Menswear will celebrate 130 years in business. But for the first time since 1957, the party will be without Ike.
“It was kind of a sad thing with my father, but I think I think he's in a better place,” said Brian Kaufman, Ike’s son who took over leadership of the family business in 1997.
Brian said his father had been battling health issues for the past couple years.
“He was kind of like the bionic man,” said Kaufman. “And so even the bionic man has his bad days.”
Ike Kaufman was born in 1935. After graduating college, he went to work in 1957 at the family business started by his grandfather in 1895. In 1963, he took over leadership of Kaufman’s.
He had a love for history, especially downtown Great Falls.
“He used to give lecture series on the different blocks of downtown Great Falls, the history of each block and everything like that,” said Kaufman. “He was really entrenched in the History Museum. Some of the things that he did with the History Museum over the last 20 years are pretty iconic over there, too.”
In 2022, Kaufman narrated a slide show of pictures and maps of historic Great Falls districts. The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation recorded the event on its youtube page.
Kaufman also had a passion for his fellow businesspeople.
“As a new guy in town and as a downtown business owner, if I needed advice, Ike always had the answer,” said Bill Ferrin of Ferrin’s Furniture. “Where do I get this? Where do I get that? Who do I advertise with? Where do I get tires for my trucks, Ike was the guy.”
“When he get would get his haircut he would come into the doorway, look in and kind of see where I'm at,” said Inge Buchholz of Inge’s Fashions. “Then I would go and talk to him and then I take him out of his car. So we had a special friendship going.”
Brian Kaufman says his dad was a kind person, a great businessman, and wonderful family man with the utmost respect for others.
“He always used to tell me, it's better to give than it is to receive,” said Kaufman. “And as much as the community of Great Falls gave to our business, he as a person also gave back to the wonderful people in the community and the community of Great Falls.”
Brian says all who came in contact with Ike were lucky to have known him.
“We're all blessed. My sister, my my daughter, myself, my mother to have him is not only a dad, a business partner and a husband,” said Kaufman. “So it's it's been one heck of a ride. I think the community is going to be missing a guy that can tell a good story and have a good laugh and build a good relationship and have a good friend.”
A celebration of Ike Kaufman’s life will be held September 13th at the Newberry starting at 2pm.
“What a wonderful, wonderful community that we live in,” said Kaufman. “And the Lord has a better place for him. So, good luck with the golf game with him.”
