Fannie Mae (Yoder) Zehr

Fannie Mae (Yoder) Zehr, 94, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 23, 2022.  She entered into eternal rest peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.  She had been a resident of Topeka for over 60 years before retiring to Greencroft.  She was a member of Maple Grove Church, Topeka.

Fannie Mae was born July 11, 1927 in Nappanee to Joseph J. and Amelia Schmucker Yoder.  She was second oldest of eight children and is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Ernest Tobias Yoder; a sister, Clara Elizabeth Yoder; a grandson, Joshua Glenn Zehr; a granddaughter, Katherine “Kate” Zehr Rabin and her beloved husband, David Zehr, Jr.

Fannie is survived by three brothers, Raymond Joseph Yoder, Everett Ray Yoder and Earl Lee Yoder; two sisters, Etta Fern Gingerich and Katie Marie Miller; her children, Sandra Faye (Dennis) Zehr, Norman, South Carolina, Joyce Carol (Donald) Zehr, Bush, Florida, Gary Lee (Linda Miller) Zehr, Evansville, Glenn Ray Zehr, Goshen and Donald Wayne Zehr, Plainfield.  Fannie, devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, is fondly remembered by 11 grandchildren and over 23 great and great-great-grandchildren.

Fannie married David Zehr, Jr. on May 20, 1945 and they settled in Topeka where they lived and raised their children.  Together Fannie and David stood firm in their Christian belief, serving the church, Christ and the community.  They helped children in the grandparent program at Topeka Elementary and were founding charter members of the Topeka Historical Society.  Fannie headed up the church food committee, the quilting program and taught Sunday School for many years at Maple Grove Mennonite Church, Topeka.  This was Fannie’s passion, to serve the Lord and set a Christian example to all, especially her children.

Visitation will be Friday, January 28, 2022, from 1 p.m. until the 3 p.m. funeral service at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen.  A private family graveside service and burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Topeka.  Pastor Jason Gingerich, Topeka, will officiate both services.

Memorial donations in Fannie’s memory may be given to the Zehr Foundation or Greencroft Foundation.