Myrna Ellen Miller Kauffman, 77, passed away at her home in Goshen, Sept. 24.

She was born in Goshen, Oct. 13, 1940, to William J. and Lydia (Troyer) Miller.

After graduating from Bethany Christian High School, Myrna married James Kauffman. During their marriage they lived in Topeka, Kansas, and then Charlottesville, Virginia, where she earned her nursing degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

Myrna worked as an operating room nurse at Martha Jefferson and the University of Virginia hospitals in Charlottesville and then as the director of surgical services at Loudon County Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia, and Smithville (North Carolina) Regional Hospital.

The last years of her career were spent as a clinical specialist and nurse educator with Steris Corporation while living in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Myrna loved to travel and explore new places. She wasn't afraid to take a detour or stick to the back roads.

She also loved her family - her son, James (Tim) Kauffman, his fiance, Michelle Miniutti, and their children, Emma Kauffman and Jack Miniutti, Holly Springs, North Carolina; her daughter, Missy (John) Schrock, and their children, Rachel and Loren Schrock, Goshen; her sisters, Mary Frye and Pam (Robert) Rossi, both of Goshen; her brothers, Devon (Jane) Miller, Cromwell, and Ronald (Janis) Miller, Willow Park, Texas. She also loved her 11 nieces and nephews and their families.

Myrna was a gracious hostess with a generous spirit. She made everyone around her feel welcome and valued.

Friends are welcome to visit with the family Saturday morning, Sept. 29, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, Goshen. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. A light lunch will follow.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or Alaska Geographic, a foundation supporting Denali National Park.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is assisting with arrangements.