Wayzata, MN - Jane Gerot Kaufman, of Wayzata, MN, died peacefully in her sleep, on March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on July 30, 1933, in St. Louis, MO to Aileen McCreedy Gerot and Paul Sylvester Gerot, originally from Riverside, IA, Jane's family moved to Chicago and ultimately to Minneapolis when Jane was a young teen. She attended St. Mary's Hall in Faribault, MN where she was a Wooden Soldier and Captain of the Golds, class of 1951. Jane headed East to attend Radcliffe College, graduating in 1955. Harvard-Radcliffe made an indelible impression on her; she recently belted out the Harvard Fight Song with pride. Back in Minneapolis, she met Jim Kaufman of St Paul, MN at a party on Lake Minnetonka; as she drove up to the house in her family's 1955 Chris Craft Day Cruiser, Jim took one look and said "I've got to meet that boat." Married in 1958, Jim and Jane enjoyed the Good Old Boat - which Jim still lovingly maintains - for more than 67 years.

Before having children, Jane worked for The Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Tribune, John Cowles Co., and Savage Lewis Co. where she was a copywriter. Yearning for children, Jane welcomed Lissie in 1964, Susan in 1966 and Paul in 1968. In the mid-1970s, she went back to the University of Minnesota where she earned her BS in Botany and began her landscape design career. She designed over 50 residential gardens in the Twin Cities area. Throughout her life, Jane was active in Junior League, Minnetonka and Wayzata Garden Clubs, and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

In addition to being a brilliant gardener, talented chef, and chic dresser, Jane was adventurous, camping at the base of Denali, hiking in Tierra del Fuego and traveling to more than 50 countries with family and friends. Skiing was a core part of Jim and Jane's courtship; they spent their winters in Vail, CO where Jane skied well into her 80s. She maintained her extraordinary wit and sharp vocabulary, landing a clever response with impeccable timing to her last days.

Jane is survived by her husband of 67+ years, Jim, daughter Susan (John) of Minnetonka, MN, son Paul (Amy) of Sleepy Hollow, NY, and four grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents, and her daughter, Elizabeth (Lissie). Memorials can be made to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; services will be private.