Lester D. Yoder

Lester D. Yoder
May 04, 1916 - April 23, 2007
Frytown, Iowa
Lester David Yoder the son of Jonas and Amelia (Yoder) Yoder was born May 4, 1916 in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended the Oakland rural school. On July 6, 1941 he was united in marriage to Pauline Miller at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. With his father, Lester founded Yoder Feed Mill near Frytown in 1934. Throughout the years the business grew to become a multi faceted agribusiness from which he retired in 1992. He served on the boards of American Feed Manufacturer, Farmers Electric, Iowa Mennonite School, Iowa Mennonite Central Committee, and the Kalona Historical Society. He was a lifelong member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. He was also active in various antique truck clubs, and wrench collectors societies. He participated in the WMT Tractorcade for the last 6 years and was the oldest participant for the last 2 years. Lester died on Monday, April 23, 2007 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City from complications of a fall at the age of 90 years. Lester is survived by his wife Pauline of Frytown; 4 children - Loran Yoder and wife April of Frytown; Joyce Yoder of Bethesda, Maryland; Shirley Yoder Bell and husband Gary of Frytown and Calmar; Damon Yoder and wife Jan of Saint Charles, Illinois; and 7 grandchildren - Michael and Nathan Yoder, Elaine and Erica Yoder, CJ, Spencer, and Jamison Yoder. Lester was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Pastor Don Patterson and Pastor Dick Swartzendruber will officiate. Burial will be in the Lower Deer Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona where the family will be present Thursday and from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday. In lieu of flowers the family encourages contributions to Pleasantview Home and Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church.