Elvin "Al" Yoder

Elvin “Al” Yoder, 77, died Thursday, October 1, 2020, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City. Visitation for family and friends will be Sunday, October 4, 2020, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service – 605 Kirkwood Avenue in Iowa City. Funeral services will be Monday, October 5, 2020, at 6:30 pm at Spirit of Faith Family Church, 4070 22nd Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Al’s family respectfully requires attendees wear masks and observe social distancing. Thank you. Private burial will be at Bethel Mennonite Church Cemetery in Wayland. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be directed to the Elvin “Al” Yoder Memorial Fund or the Spirit of Faith Family Church. Born April 4, 1943, in Midland, MI, the son of Melvin and Luella (Short) Yoder, Al grew on his parents’ farm outside Midland. As a child, Al loved John Deere tractors and the Detroit Tigers. He never outgrew his love for John Deere and was fond of telling people about his own tractor. His boyhood love of baseball never faded, either, and he rooted for his Tigers through the good years and the bad. More than John Deere green and Tigers baseball, though, Al loved Jesus, his family, and his church. He was a gift giver and a servant, working in numerous roles at SOFFC. The person he blessed with gifts most frequently was his beloved wife of 52 years, Bonnie. The thought that counts was the truest statement for Al. He would often leave small tokens for Bonnie that had great value. And he knew how much she enjoyed fresh flowers from the yard. “Here’s your flower for the day,” he would tell her. Al was a family man too. And even though he was quiet, Al had so much love to give, especially for his sons, Chris and Ben, their wives, Susan and Christine, and all his grandchildren. His sons wouldn’t be the men they are today without his strong influence and outstanding character. Al inherited his love of wood working from his Pop. Al loved wood and working with his hands so much that he became a carpenter and handy man by trade. And even though he “retired” a few years back, he always had projects in progress – and even more in the works. He was especially fond of windows, cabinets, and doors. He drew the line at plumbing and electrical work, though. Al will be missed. But his spirit lives on. Al is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of Iowa City; sons, Chris (Susan) Yoder of Kansas City, MO, and Ben (Christine) Yoder of Ankeny; two sisters, Ethel Yoder of Saginaw, MI, and Loretta Toner (Delaney) of Midland, MI; brother, Merlin (Diane) Yoder of Austin, TX; and grandchildren: Paris, Jackson, Katharine, and Alex. Al was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Milton Yoder and two sisters, Esta Hostetler and Leanna Keim.