Yoder, Nora (1878-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Apr 19 p. 11

Birth date: 1878

text of obituary:

Sewing Circle Founder “A Friend Who Never Grew Old"

By Mrs. Erma Miller Erb

Goshen, Ind. — Mrs. Samuel A. (Nora) Yoder, 84, who died at her home four miles east of Goshen on March 15, was the first president of the first organized sewing circle in the Indiana-Michigan Conference.

May I give this in her own words:

“In 1898 we were invited to a Lutheran ladies aid. We were very much impressed with what we saw and heard. They had Scripture reading and prayer, and were a busy, social bunch.

“At that time we had the Chicago Mission, and we thought, Why don't we do something for our mission stations? About that time we also had a study of missionaries instead of young people's meetings. We studied several books, among them David Livingstone's life and mission work and Isabel Thoburn. This gave us more of a mission spirit than we ever had before.

“In January 1907 we called a meeting and organized our first Sisters Mission Association. We selected a president (which was Nora), a secretary and treasurer. Our first offering that day was $2.24. We had our secretary and her husband with the help of the bishop write up the constitution.

Met in Homes

“We were all busy farmers' wives but we took time out to meet once a month. The sewing met in the homes. The sister in whose home we met furnished the sewing machine, or one or two of us would load up our sewing machines in our buggies.

“In 1919 a basement was put under the Clinton Frame Church and we were permitted to have our own sewing there after meeting in homes for 12years. This was much more convenient and in addition a cupboard was placed therefor the sewing. We had no baby sitters, so always took our babies along. We bought some sewing machines and some were donated.

“We sewed for the two missions, the orphan's home at West Liberty, Ohio and also for the needy of the church. We sewed for the Eli Bontragers of Fairview, Mich. when they were burned out, making comforts and quilts.

“Out of all the sisters, which numbered about 15 or 20, there are only three of us left.” (Mrs. Yoder, Clare Long, and Lizzie Johns, all of whom are gone now in 1962.

Four Rules to Live By

As a friend who never grew old, there are four outstanding facets of her personality to remember if one wants to believe in the “best yet to be.”

1. To have a hobby. She had several. She had long ago lost count of the quilt and comforter tops she had pieced for the sewing circle. She was a great reader.

2. To face the facts. When facing a major operation she announced it casually and said with her usual brave smile, “Either way is all right, I am ready to meet whatever comes.”

3. To have a friend. She had many.

4. To have a philosophy. This was a surety, to believe that right will ultimately triumph, to believe that the Bible means just what it says, and to look beyond the sunset into the glorious dawn.