Betty M. Yoder

Betty Mae Yoder entered her eternal home on January 14 ^th , 2021.  She was a bright and energetic individual who spent her life serving Christ by teaching and helping others. She was 92 years old.

Betty was born on January 7 ^th , 1929 in Dorchester, Nebraska to Joseph and Mattie Burkey, the youngest of five children. Even as a young child she valued learning. When there were no educational opportunities in their rural setting, she worked for room and board in a nearby town in order to finish high school. She attended Concordia Teacher's College and taught in a one room school prior to finishing her bachelor's degree at Goshen College. Later she completed a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Betty met her husband, Melvin Yoder, while at Goshen College. They married in 1953 and had two children:  Rita Riggenbach, (husband, Kevin) of Lafayette and Neal Yoder, (wife, Leslie) of Wakarusa. They had seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Betty and Mel were a team; she had great ideas and he helped make them reality. They enjoyed spending time together and were married for 66 years.

Betty spent her work years in the classroom teaching the fourth grade at Chandler Elementary School. Her care for her students was unmistakable; she personally visited each one prior to the start of the new school year. Betty found her true calling as a teacher. She loved her job.

Betty was an active member of College Mennonite Church and served many years on the pastoral care team as a pastoral visitor and care giver. She visited at the Elkhart County Jail for many years and continued lifelong friendships with the women she met there.  She was a hospice volunteer and a wise and kind confidant to those experiencing hardship. She spent many hours consoling and praying for others.

After her retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband, helping her children, and playing with her grandchildren. A lifelong learner, Betty was an avid reader and took advantage of opportunities to soak up new information. She loved flowers and gave hundreds of bouquets to those she cared for and visited throughout the years.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Mel, her parents, and siblings (Kenneth Burkey, Lucinda Bachman, Arnold Burkey, and Doris Inbody).  She leaves one wonderful brother-in-law, Richard Oyer, children and grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A private funeral and graveside service with immediate family is planned. Burial will be at Elkhart Prairie Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to College Mennonite Church for the Prison Re-entry Fund.