Bessie L. Yoder

Bessie L. (King) Yoder
July 27, 1906 - August 02, 2008
Kalona, Iowa
Visitation: Monday, August 4 from 3-8 pm & Tuesday, August 5 from 1-8 pm , at Yoder-Powell Funeral Home, Kalona, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 am August 06, 2008 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church
Interment: August 06, 2008 at Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Cemetery
KALONA- Bessie was born on July 27, 1906, on a farm two miles southeast of Hesston, Kansas. She was the youngest of nine children born to Samuel B. And Anna Smith King. Her childhood was a happy one, involved with family ( including beloved cousins), Pennsylvania Mennonite Church, and District 20 School. Bessie was baptized in 1918. She was graduated from Hesston Academy in 1924 and four years later earned a teaching certificate from Hesston Junior College. She taught at Zimmerdale Public School for two years. In the fall of 2004, when Bessie was 98 years old, she had the privilege of attending her 80th Hesston Academy class anniversary. After speaking at the Alumni Banquet, she said, "I didn't fell a bit nervous." At Hesston College Bessie met Herman Yoder, a young man from Kalona, Iowa. They were married on August 4, 1931, at her parents' home. As a 25-year-old, Bessie left the area dear to her and moved to rural Kalona. She and Herman farmed land in the Frytown area and then moved to Kalona in 1944 where they continued their Yoder Funeral Home business. They were married for fifty years before Herman died in 1982. Bessie was also preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, and two sisters. Between the years of 1934 and 1944 four children were born to Bessie and Herman: Elvin Dale of Archbold, Ohio; Lois Maurine, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Dorothy Louise, Goshen, Indiana; and Evelyn Ruth, Milton, Wisconsin. Along with these children Bessie is survived by a daughter-in-law, Theo Yoder, and two sons-in-law, Lewis Brubacher and John Nyce. Bessie's grandchildren number eleven. In the order of their birth by family units they are: Patty Yoder Schmucker, married to Doug; Terry Yoder, married to Joanie; Cynthia Yoder, married to Bob Gravelin; Sandra Yoder Leininger, married to Mike; Beth Brubacher, married to Greg Hladky; Laura Brubacher, married to Jeff Clingenpeel; John Brubacher; Lynda Nyce, married to John-David Yoder; Gretchen Nyce, partner with LaDene King; Alice Schermerhorn, married to Paul; and Sarah Miller-Piper, married to Mike. Bessie also welcomed sixteen great-grandchildren. Listed by the oldest child in each family unit they are: Jason Schmucker (married to Melanie) and his sister Natalie; Kimberly, Jeremy, and David Leininger; Alyse and Austin Yoder; Max and Will Schermerhorn; Aaron Hladky and Hanna Brubacher; Ben and Anna Clingenpeel; Jonathan and Katelyn Anna Piper; and John-Paul Nyce Yoder. Bessie is also survived by a sister-in-law, Rose Marie King. Bessie had many qualities and gifts that endeared her to people. She was an active listner to those who came to her door for comfort, counsel or food. Because of her hospitality, no stranger came to her table. She was a friend to a wide variety of people and often maintained these friendships by making phone calls and sending greeting cards. She was a punctual, organized person; even in her last months, she repeated the need to "get ready now." For may years Bessie taught Sunday School classes. From age thirteen to age one hundred, she often inspired people with her public speeches. Praying silently for others was a regular part of her day. Until her physical abilities diminished, she ministered to people by growing beautiful flowers and writing letters. Her heart weakened from repeated bouts of pneumonia, her body and mind became frail, but her spiritual wisdom lives on. Bessie believed in remaining mentally and socially active throughout her life. She liked choral music programs and male quartets; she supported Mennonite institutions of education; she appreciated free popcorn at the bank on Fridays. From the age of eight on, Bessie kept a daily diary. She remembered names of people; she knew the birth dates of all of her nieces and nephews, plus many of her friends. She amazed people with her recall of detail. Only in the last months of her life, memory failed her. Her death came on August 2, 2008, leaving family and friends, blessed by her warm attention, strengthened by her enduring spirit. Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church, rural Kalona. Officiating will be Rev. Don Patterson, Rev. Robert K. Yoder, Rev Dean Swartzenduber and Wilbur & Helen Yoder. Burial will be held prior to the Memorial Service at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 3-8 P.M. and Tuesday from 1-8 P.M. at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Memorials are for Pleasantview Home, Iowa City Hospice, Iowa Mennonite School and Hesston College- Anna Smith King Scholarship. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.