Theodore Yoder

Theodore Yoder
August 12, 1989 - April 12, 2012
Kalona, Iowa
Visitation: 2-8 pm April 15, 2012 at Wellman Mennonite Church, Wellman, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:00 am April 16, 2012 at Iowa Mennonite School in Celebration Hall
Interment: April 16, 2012 at South Gingerich Cemetery
Theodore Brian Yoder died at his home in rural Kalona on the evening of April 12, 2012 after an intermittent 12-year battle with various cancers. Theo had a strong faith, a valiant determination, and meaningful relationships throughout his life. Theodore was born on Saturday, August 12, 1989 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa to the very proud parents of Brian and Lynn Yoder. Theodore, most commonly known as Theo (or Ted by some of his friends), grew up on a farm in rural Kalona. He loved spending time working with hogs and helping his father and uncles tend to the crops. Theo attended high school at Iowa Mennonite School in rural Kalona. During his years at IMS he participated in FFA for four years and was on the golf team for three years. While at IMS Theo was highly involved in agricultural studies - holding the record for most agriculture courses taken by a student at IMS. Theo always considered his friendships to be the most important part of his high school experience. He and his mischievous friends will be forever remembered as "The Boys of '08." After Theo graduated from high school he attended Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. He majored in Congregational and Youth Ministry Studies. Theo wasn't involved in any extracurricular activities at EMU but mainly devoted his time to his friends. This often involved late night conversations, breaking into the hot tub at the local Best Western, and marathon dining sessions in the campus cafeteria. Theo thoroughly enjoyed his work-study job at EMU. He worked for the Athletic Events Coordinator. Due to a recurrence of cancer, Theo was obligated to withdraw from his classes at EMU after the first quarter of his junior year (fall of 2010). He fought the battle with all his might and was delighted to be able to return to EMU the following fall. Theo was determined to complete his degree, but once again cancer became an obstacle. He began feeling ill towards the end of the first semester and was forced to withdraw again. Theo was awarded an honorary degree from EMU on March 3, 2012. This meant a lot to Theo - a goal completed. During the summer months Theo ran and operated Yoder Quality Lawn Care which he started nine years ago at the age of 13. He also assisted with greens work at the Kalona Golf Course for two summers. In his spare time Theo enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, and playing Poker, Monopoly, and Rook. He enjoyed long walks down country roads on warm summer evenings. He was an avid Cubs fan and loved watching the Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley. But most importantly Theo enjoyed simply spending time with his friends, family and people in general. Theo is survived by his parents Lynn and Brian Yoder (of Kalona), brothers Josh (20 of Kalona) and Rex (15 of Kalona), grandparents of Dale and Linda Miller (Kalona), grandmother Della Yoder (Kalona), sixteen aunts and uncles, thirty cousins/spouses of cousins, and countless good friends. He is preceded into death by his grandfather Keith Yoder (Kalona) his aunt Judy Hookway (Kalona), his uncle Dave Droz (Kalona) and far too many others who had lost their battle with cancer. -Theodore B. Yoder (Theo wrote his own obituary.)