Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner

Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner. Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner Nature Preserve. , Elizabeth Yahl was born May 10, 1905 on her family's farm, less than a mile from this location. Following her graduation from Memorial High School in St. Marys, she attended the Ft. Wayne Business College and then the George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. from which she graduated with a degree in medicine in 1937. While in Washington, Elizabeth met and married Fred H. Kuffner. They had two children - John F. (Jack) Kuffner and Betty Ruth Kuffner Maxwell., Dr. Kuffner returned to St. Marys in 1938, establishing her medical and surgical practice., During World War II, Dr. Kuffner served as the Medical Director at the West Virginia Ordinance Works, Point Pleasant, West Virginia. In 1953, she became the second woman ever to receive a commission in the regular U.S. Army. Major Kuffner also served in Japan and Korea., Following military service, Dr. Kuffner returned to practice in St. Marys until her retirement in 1985. She helped found Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, where she served as Chief of Staff., She served on the Board of the Auglaize School in New Bremen during its construction. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys., Dr. Elizabeth Yahl Kuffner-died on March 19, 1993, at the age of 87 and is buried in Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys., This land was donated in October of 2012 by Jack and Alma Kuffner as a gift to the citizens of Auglaize County.