Robert E. Yoder

KALONA ? Robert Edward Yoder, 90, of Wellman, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Parkview Manor in Wellman.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 11, at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona with the Rev. Gerry Kahler officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. The body has been cremated, and a graveside service will take place at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church.

Mr. Yoder was born April 16, 1926, in rural Wellman, the son of Willis G. and Elizabeth Ann (Bender) Yoder. He married Beulah Dickel on June 16, 1949, at the East Union Mennonite Church. She preceded him in death, on Dec. 31, 1974. He married Velma Christner on Sept. 15, 1990, at the Kalona United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on March 30, 2008.

He joined the Civilian Public Service in 1944 and served for 18 months in Fort Collins and Nederland, Colorado. He farmed most of his life, and after retiring from farming he worked at Wellman Lumber for 20 years. He was a member of the Kalona United Methodist Church and enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, planting trees and woodworking, having built wagons and cedar chests for his grandchildren. He also enjoyed walking, and on his 70th birthday he walked from Wellman to Iowa City.

Surviving are four children and their spouses, Lonnie Yoder and wife Teresa of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Denny Yoder and wife Becky of Wellman, Michael Yoder and wife Donna of Cedar Rapids, and Minnie Richardson and husband Tom of Oskaloosa; two stepchildren, Shirley Harvey and husband Richard of Wellman, and Robert Christner and wife Karen of Kalona; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Judy Yoder of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Beulah; his wife Velma; and three brothers, Donald W., Marion ?Tex,? and Keith Yoder.