Yoder, Barbara Guengerich (1883-1973)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1973 Jul 26 p. 11

Birth date: 1883 Jan 18

text of obituary:

Barbara Guengerich Yoder was born on Jan. 18, 1883 in Johnson county, Iowa to Jacob and Lydia Gingerich Guengerich and passed from this life at Pleasantview Home, Kalona, Iowa, on July 1, 1973 at the age of 90.

She married Henry A. Yoder on Nov. 28, 1907 in Audrain County, Missouri. They became the parents of five sons and four daughters; Francis and Jacob, Parnell; Raymond, Wellman; Orville, Belle Plaine; Erma, Mrs. Glen Swartzendruber, and Esther, Mrs. John Steckley, both of Pigeon, mich.; Louise, Mrs. Raymond Swartzendruber, Elkton, Mich.; and Ralph and Susan Ellen, both deceased. Also preceding her in death were her parents, seven brothers, four sisters, and one grandchild. In addition to the seven children, she is survived by one sister, 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Barbara confessed Christ as her Saviour in her youth and was baptized into the Mennonite Church. She had been a member at West Union since November 8, 1914.

Barbara lived a long, full life. For more than 63 years she lived in marriage with her husband, Henry. After his somewhat unexpected death in August 1971, her frail body recovered quite remarkably from the shock and loneliness and she enjoyed reasonable health for one her age.

She was a dedicated wife and mother and sincerely attempted to live a godly life. She enjoyed her church life and attended faithfully as long as health permitted. She often expressed peace with God and sought forgiveness for the frailties of human nature.

Funeral services were held at the West Union Mennonite Church on July 3, 1973 in charge of Emery Hochstetler, with burial in the church cemetery.