William “Bill” Dean Yoder

William “Bill” Dean Yoder

Amana

William “Bill” Dean Yoder was born February 29, 1956, in Kalona, Iowa, the 6th son of Dale and Lois (Fisher) Yoder. He graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1974 and attended Kirkwood Community College with an architectural design degree. He worked various construction jobs before beginning Ramsey Creek Woodworks with his childhood friend Lynn Hostetler. They built a thriving, successful business for 35 years, until he retired earlier this summer.

In 2006 Bill married Kristie Berger and moved to Amana where he became involved in the Amana Colonies Land Use District and became a member of the Amana Church. Faith played a very important role in Bill’s life, and led him to volunteer for Hurricane Katrina recovery, take on the role of Amana cemetery sexton, and serve the church in many other capacities.

In his free time he enjoyed rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers, sitting on the back porch with neighbors and friends, and becoming a connoisseur of all kinds of ice cream. Bill loved jokes, the cornier the better, and was a great person to play pranks on. Bill will be remembered as a committed and loyal friend, a creative designer and woodworker, and a fun and lovable Opa.

The past year has held several health challenges for Bill, which he slowly and steadily worked through. Bill died Monday, August 18, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, from complications caused by his bone marrow cancer, at the age of 69 years.

He is survived by his wife Kristie; his children, Adam Yoder (Cassie Niemeyer) Sam Cutler (Caroline Blumberg), Kelsey Yoder, Ellie Gilkey (Kelvin Gilkey), and Hannah Cutler (Steven ten Bensel); granddaughters who brought him extraordinary joy and made him a loving Opa; Nola and Kora Gilkey and Imani Yoder; and his siblings, John C. Yoder, Kathleen Quinn, Dale Richard “Dick” Yoder-Short, Franklyn Yoder, Jim Yoder, George Yoder and David Yoder. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Service was held 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the Amana Church in Middle Amana. Burial is in the Middle Amana Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4:00-7:00 pm on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Amana Church in Middle Amana. A memorial fund has been established for the Amana Church Youth Ministries and the Amana Church Arts Guild. Powell Funeral Home in Marengo is caring for Bill and his family. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.