Clifford Yoder

Celebrating The Life Of Clifford J. Yoder August 31, 1915-January 6, 2009 93 Years 4 Months 5 Days Celebration of Life Friday, January 9, 2009 2:00 PM Kalona Mennonite Church Kalona, Iowa Visitation Thursday, January 8, 2009 3-7PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home Kalona, Iowa Words of Comfort Pastor Scott Swartzendruber Pastor Mick Murray Pastor David L. Yoder Organist Mrs. Mary Groh Musicians Casket Bearers Seth Wenger Don Steckly Anthony Yoder Kim Yoder Gary Wenger Fred Swartzendruber Interment East Union Cemetery Rural Kalona, Iowa Clifford J. Yoder was born to Jacob and Mattie (Miller) Yoder on the family farm west of Frytown, Iowa, on August 31, 1915. He departed this life January 6, 2009 from a massive heart attack at Mercy hospital, Iowa City, IA. His family moved to Kiln, Mississippi, for his fathers health when he was in fifth grade. His father farmed and grew pecans at age 11; he accepted Christ and was peptized into the Gulf Haven Mennonite Church, Gulfport, MS. He graduated from Kiln High School. Later the family moved to Sharon Center, IA and ate4nded East Union Mennonite Church. On March 2, 1941 he married Marjorie Stutzman in Milford, NE. They had one daughter Peggy Ann. In 1945 he began operation of the Sharon Center Store, which he owned until 1968. He also built the Sharon Feed Mill, which he operated for many years. He also worked for Sears for twenty years. He was an avid fisherman, often fishing in Canada. He was elected usher at East Union Church in the early 1950's, and continued until 1971. After Marjorie's death in 1970, Clifford married Helen Miller on August 14,1971. Helen passed away in January 1983. They attended Kalona Mennonite Church where he was appointed usher and served in that capacity for many years. In 1985 he was head usher of his area at the bi-national Mennonite Assembly at Iowa State University, Ames, IA. That was a special event in his life. August 18, 1990, Clifford married Ruth Ann Liebig Yoder. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, on daughter, Peggy Ann,(Mrs. Harold Blosser), one grand daughter, Sonya Blosser, one great grand daughter, Nicole Blosser, one great grandson , five step children: Mary Beth, (Mrs. Jim Blecha), Reagan Yoder, Anthony Yoder, Mina (Mrs. Fred Swartzendruber), Kim Yoder, 13 step grand children and twelve step great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Richard of Jefferson City, MO., and Arthur of Whitehall, IL. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters; Esther (Mrs. Walter Speas), Leota (Mrs. Oren Lee, Elsie (Mrs. Andy Herrick and two wives. The family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of love and kindness shown to them at this time of loss. Your support and concern will be cherished always.