Donna Kay Yoder

Donna Kay (Linder) Yoder, 71, of Washington, formerly of Wayland, IA, passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016, at the Halcyon House in Washington after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Visitation, with the family present, will be from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 3rd at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 4th at 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bob Wollenberg and Kristy Heffner, officiating. Burial will be at the North Hill Cemetery at later date. Memorials have been established to On His Path and Hospice of Washington County. On line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com Donna was born to a loving family October 24, 1944, the second child of Don and Marjorie (Woline) Linder. She had an older brother Wendell and a younger brother Jerry. She grew up on a farm near Pleasant Lawn outside of Mt. Pleasant where she adored her ponies and where she learned the value of hard work. Eventually, her family moved to New London, IA. At the New London school, Donna met "The Girls" that became her friends for life. Graduating from New London High School in 1962, Donna began working at Commercial Credit in Burlington. In 1963 while cruising in Mt. Pleasant with friends, she met Bob Yoder, and they were married in 1965. Donna quickly embraced the Yoder family and worked in the family turkey business, primarily in the turkey hatchery. She was also a hair dresser and owned Shear Sense Styling Salon for 35 years. Donna's most important job was as a mom to her two children; Julie Kay (1968) and Cathy Lynn (1971). She was an involved parent and attended all of their school events. Additionally, Donna was very active in Wayland Mennonite Church serving as a Sunday School teacher and on the Hospitality Committee. She later attended Faith Baptist Church and the United Presbyterian Church in Washington. She was a leader for Clever Clovers 4-H Club for many years as well. Later in life, Donna became interested in crafts, and designed many projects that she sold at craft sales. Donna never met a stranger, and her house was always open to guests. She lived by the advice she received from her dad; "You'll never have a friend if you can't be a friend." She and Bob hosted summer ministers from Bluffton College for three summers, as well as a foreign exchange student from Bolivia for a year.Donna enjoyed traveling, cooking, playing cards, and visiting with people. She appreciated family gatherings and understood the importance of family vacations. But the thing she loved best and was proudest of was being a mom and a grandma.Donna is survived in life by her daughter, Julie Messer and husband Mark of Washington, Iowa, and their children Jenna and Landon; a daughter, Cathy Ringer and husband Matt of Kimbolton, Ohio, and their children Calvin and Kaylee; a brother, Wendell Linder of Burlington, Iowa; the Yoder brothers and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Yoder; parents, Donald and Marjorie Linder; a brother Jerry Linder; parents-in-law Ivan and Elsie Yoder; sister-in-law Dorothy Linder; brother-in-law Duane Peterson; and nephew Matt Linder. Cemetery Details North Hill Cemetery North of Wayland Wayland, IA, Family will be present OCT 3. 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM United Presbyterian Church 209 E. Main Street Washington, IA, US, 52353 Memorial Service OCT 4. 10:30 AM United Presbyterian Church 209 E. Main Street Washington, IA, US, 52353