Yoder, Cleo Marie Miller (1928-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2002 Oct 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1928 Mar 14

text of obituary:

CLEO MARIE YODER

Cleo Marie Miller Yoder, 74, of Hesston, Kan., died Sept. 29, 2002. She was born March 14, 1928, to Noah E. and Edna (Shrock) Miller near Hutchinson.

On April 14, 1950, she married Melvin Yoder in Yoder. They lived near Hutchinson until 1961, when they moved to the Hesston area. In 1975 they moved to Sharon Springs, and then back to Hesston in 1980.

She was baptized at Yoder Mennonite Church as a youth. She had a passion for the work of the Lord. She was an active member of Gideon's International since 1978. She served for three years as state president of the ladies' auxiliary of the Gideons and spoke at many Gideon camp meetings and pastor's banquets throughout Kansas. She was also a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston.

She was a loving, patient and supportive homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. She cared deeply for her family and was present and supportive in the special occasions and times of need. She prayed for each member of her family every day.

She enjoyed reading. In addition to many books, she read the Bible through each year for the past number of years. She enjoyed travel with her family and husband and visited 49 states and abroad. Her grandchildren remember special times with her in Colorado. She took great interest in her yard, garden and flowers. She enjoyed birds.

She was a great hostess and an excellent cook, whether at home or in a travel trailer. She knitted many gifts for her family. Her grandchildren remember her loving smile, quiet laughter and deep love for each of them.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Melvin; a son, Arlan and his wife, Ila; a daughter, Amella Purdy and her fiance, Gary Gabhart; a brother, Freddie Miller; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two daughters, Neta Faye and Diane Dell; and two sisters, Susie Miller and Erma Diener.

Funeral services were held at Whitestone Mennonite Church.