Violet Yoder

Yoder

Violet J. Yoder, 91, longtime resident of the Strawberry Lake area, Minn., died Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 11 at 2PM in Strawberry Lake Mennonite Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 10 at David Donehower Funeral Home from 4PM until 7PM with a 6 PM Prayer Service. Visitation will also continue on Thursday one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Strawberry Lake Church Cemetery.

Violet Joy Yoder was born June 4, 1923 near Wolford, ND to Thomas and Emma (Witmer) Yoder. While Violet’s parents searched for work, Violet lived with her grandparents from the age of 18 months until she was 2.5 years old. Violet’s family returned to North Dakota and lived in several different places until settling in Wolford, ND. Violet accepted Christ as her Savior in 1936 and was baptized at Casselton Mennonite Church. She attended school until the 10th grade. In the fall of 1944 she attended her junior year in Hesston, KS. On April 12, 1946, Violet was united in marriage to Ottis P. Yoder. Violet’s strong faith in Christ shined bright all throughout her life. Coming from a small family herself, Violet endured the grief and hardships of losing siblings at a young age. Leading by example, Violet and Ottis instilled in their children a life centered in faith, love and devotion. They resided in Wolford, farming the prairie lands in North Dakota, raising their five children and serving their church and community. In 1960, Ottis accepted a pastoral call to serve Strawberry Lake Mennonite Church. The Lord blessed the couple with a daughter at this time. As Ottis and Violet became familiar with the lakes area, they had a wonderful extended family in the Strawberry Lake community. A wonderful homemaker, Violet enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting, growing beautiful gardens and bountiful produce gardens throughout the years. Completing school was always a lifelong goal and dream of Violet’s. At the age of 60, she did just that, completing that dream and earning her GED. Violet cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her display of love, words of encouragement, wisdom beyond measure and never ending love for family and friends will forever be missed, but knowing that she has gone to the place that Jesus has prepared for her, gives comfort. Violet’s life was honoring to her Lord and Savior and we know as she walked through Heaven’s gates she heard the words from Matthew 25:21,

Violet will be remembered and missed by her husband of 68 years, Ottis Yoder of Detroit Lakes, children: Dennis (Ellie) Yoder of Grundy Center, IA, Leila (Larry) Muff of Ogema, Marjorie (Bob) Niederhauser of Panora, IA, Doyle (Debra) Yoder of Staples, Delmar (Tammy) Yoder of Ogema and Janelle (Mike) Hartman of Sulphur, OK along with 17 grandchildren, 1 step-granddaughter, 40 great-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Glen and Richard, one sister: Mabel and one great-grandson: Ethan Doyle Schultz.

The David-Donehower Funeral Home is serving the family.