Cleora M. Yoder

Cleora Marie Ropp Yoder gently and peacefully passed from here to the place “prepared for her” on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Fairmount Homes where she resided for the past year.  Cleora was married to Sherman Yoder who passed away May 2, 2005.  Due to declining health they had relocated to Pennsylvania for winter months to the care of their daughter, Elaine Yoder.  Following Sherman’s death, Cleora lived with Elaine in Conestoga, PA until the past year.

Born in Kalona Iowa to Solomon C. and Vesta (Yoder) Ropp on October 29, 1922 following her marriage to Sherman on July 14, 1953, Cleora became a small grain farmer’s wife   on the prairies of North Dakota, where the couple lived the duration of their marriage of 52 years.  They spent many numerous winters in the warmer climates of Arizona and Florida.

Surviving are four children, Elaine Yoder, Mark Yoder, married to Caroline Smucker Yoder, Millard Yoder, married to Joy Hochstetler Yoder, and Milford Yoder, married to Joyce Brenneman Yoder, and 14 grandchildren,  Donovan, Elliot, Natasha, Elisa, Juliann, Adriel, Karlita, Madison, Kiersten, Kaitlynn, Kianna, Londa, Kendrick, and Kerwin Yoder.

Cleora had ten siblings, Herman (Gladys) Ropp, Harrisonburg, VA.; John (Violet) Ropp, both deceased; Leroy (Edith) Ropp, Kalona, IA; Emil, (Erma) Ropp, Kalona, Iowa; Anna Mae (Paul) Miller, Sarasota, Florida; Wesley, deceased, (Anna) Ropp, Harrisonburg, VA.; Cora (Levi) Miller, London, OH;  Morris (Norma) Ropp, Blackduck, MN; Paul (Marlene) Ropp, Sarasota, FL, Norma (Harley) Nisly, Kalona, IA..

Cleora loved Jesus and wanted to help others to know Him.  As a single woman, she was involved in several mission opportunities in northern Minnesota and Michigan. Cleora was a homemaker who worked hard for her family, assisting with some farming operations, especially early in marriage.  She was a member of the Salem Mennonite Church, where she participated in church life which included Ladies Sewing Circle and teaching Sunday school and Bible School.  She loved people, fellowship, and relationships.  She was an easy conversationalist; no one was a stranger to her.

A viewing and memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Life Counseling Ministries, 250 Meadow Lane, Conestoga, PA  17516, the viewing to be from 1-4pm, followed by the memorial service to begin at 4pm.  A viewing will be held at Wolford, North Dakota on Friday evening, November 15followed by funeral services with burial on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

Please omit flowers.  In lieu of flowers, contributions will be directed to Northern Youth Programs, Dryden, Ontario.  The family wishes to extend a warm note of thanks to all that have contributed to our mother’s life in the past years and for you love, support, and prayers during this time.