Edward M Yoder

Edward Yoder, 91, of Kalona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15^th, 2023 following a short battle with cancer.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 21^st, 2023 at East Union Mennonite Church on 560^th Street near Kalona. The service will be available via Livestream at Beatty Peterseim Facebook or Youtube pages. Burial will follow the service.  Visitation will be at the East Union Mennonite Church on Monday, March 20^th, 2023, from  3-7 PM at the East Union Mennonite Church. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be given to East Union Mennonite Church, Kalona Volunteer Fire Department, Kalona First Responders, and Pleasantview Home Building Fund. 

Edward M Yoder was born near Weatherford, OK on December 12, 1931, the son of Mose W and Barbara (Bender) Yoder.  The family moved to Oregon when Ed was 5 years old and moved again to Iowa City, IA at age 15 and resided there until he was called to 1-W service in Chicago at Alexian Hospital.  After discharge he moved back to the Iowa farm and started working for his brother Earl in construction. 

On February 23, 1956, he was united in marriage to Anna A Bontrager in Arthur, Illinois.  The couple celebrated 67 years together.  After the wedding, Ed and Anna moved back to Iowa City and lived until 1970, when the family moved to Kalona where Edward managed Kalona Builders Supply Co and eventually purchased the business in 1980.  He retired in 2017 and his son Clair took over the business. Edward was an active member of East Union Mennonite Church where he served as trustee, usher, elder, Sunday school teacher and MYF sponsor.

Edward was a member of the Kalona Volunteer Fire Department for 31 years, and served on the Kalona City Council for eight years.  He was also a charter member of the Optimist Club of Kalona and served as chairman of the board of the Iowa Lumberman’s Association. Edward was an avid Hawkeye fan, and his other interests included fishing, golfing, hunting, wood working, traveling, and spending time with family. 

Survivors include his wife Anna of Kalona, and their three children: Clair (Lorna) Yoder of Kalona, Julie Yoder of Tiffin, IA, and Warren (Emily) Yoder of Kalona and two grandchildren, Molly and Mose Yoder.  Also surviving are three siblings, Emery Yoder and wife Pauline of Nappanee, IN, Barbara Miller and husband Devon of Bremen, IN, and Irvin Yoder and wife Shirley of Nappanee, IN, and four  sisters-in-law; Maggie Yoder (Paul), Becky Yoder (Sam), Esther Yoder (Mose), and Treva Yoder (Tobe), and many nieces and nephews.    

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Jacob Yoder, and siblings, Lena, Paul, Earl and his wife Edna, Morris and his wife Jean, Sam, Mose, Tobe, and Mary and her husband Amzy Miller. 

The family would like to thank everyone for the many acts of love and support shown to them at this time of loss. A special thanks to the East Union Mennonite Church for your hospitality and kindness.