A celebration of life for Amelia M. Yoder, 80, of Kalona will be held Friday, June 14, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the Fairview Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Burial will follow at the Fairview Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 13 from 2-4 and 5-8 PM at the Fairview Mennonite Church.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Iowa City and the Fairview Mennonite Church. Amelia Yoder died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, June 11, 2013.
Amelia Marie (Swantz) Yoder was born September 16, 1932 in rural Johnson county, the daughter of Emmet and Anna (Helmuth) Swantz. She attended West Lincoln rural school. On May 23, 1954 she was united in marriage to Daniel E. Yoder at the Fairview Church. She was a homemaker and worked at the Serve You Well Bakery, the Kalona Bakery and the Kalona Cheese Factory. Amelia was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Church where she was active in the sewing group, and taught vacation bible school and Sunday school. She assisted Daniel in coordinating the Mennonite Disaster Service for 17 years. Amelia enjoyed tending her vegetable and flower gardens, canning, bird watching and quilting. Her grandchildren were a highlight in her life and she was always known to be available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.
Survivors include her husband Daniel of Kalona, two children; Jane Hershberger of Kalona and Lowell Yoder of Kalona, two grandchildren; Nicole and Michael Hershberger, one sister; Barb Miller of Kalona, one brother; Charles "Chuck" (Lorena) Swantz of Kalona, four sisters in law; Mattie Swantz, Mary Swantz, Gretchen Swantz and Susie (Edwin) Hostetler and one brother in law; L. David Yoder all of Kalona.
Preceding Amelia in death were her parents; one daughter Carol Yoder (1958), son in law; Del Hershberger, three brothers; Lewis, Wilson and Jonas Swantz, one sister; Fannie Yoder, three brothers in law;Henry E. Miller, Lewis Yoder and Delmar Yoder and one sister in law; Leona Yoder.