Eleanor Ruth Yoder

Eleanor Ruth (Swartzendruber) Yoder, 98 of Pleasantview Assisted Living in Kalona passed away on September 22, 2025. She was born January 23, 1927, at home in Iowa County to Earlis J. and Nettie (Bender) Swartzendruber. She attended Mid-Prairie one-room country school through eighth grade and graduated as salutatorian from Wellman High School in 1944. She married Howard R. Yoder on January 12, 1947. They raised a family of six children on her family farmstead.

Eleanor was a renaissance woman with many interests. As one of the original founders of Crowded Closet, she served there for many years. She was involved with the Wellman Historical Society and Iowa County Farm Bureau Women. An avid gardener, she participated in the first Master Gardener Class of Johnson County and was a member of the Wellman Garden Club. At local county fairs she won multiple blue ribbons for flower arranging. She transformed Silver Pond’s flower beds and was known as the ‘flower lady.’ Garden arrangements were frequently scattered throughout their home.

Eleanor’s many interests and talents included tole and China painting, furniture refinishing, braiding wool rugs, and creating wall hangings using her mother’s and grandmother’s quilt blocks. She sold her crafts at Kalona Fall Festival, Sisters Garden and other local events.

Church was central to her life. As a member at West Union Mennonite Church, she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and hosted small group. She was involved in planning the Sesquicentennial celebration and was the first woman appointed to an Iowa Nebraska Conference committee. She wrote a book on the history of WMSC.

Writing was a passion of hers, and she attended writer workshops to hone her skills. Her work appeared in various Christian publications.

At 88 years of age, Eleanor moved from the farm to an independent living apartment at Parkview in Wellman. She enjoyed the timber behind her home and created a shade garden there. She enjoyed many hours watching the birds at her feeders and chasing the squirrels away. After living there for eight years, she transitioned to Pleasantview Assisted Living in Kalona. She was an enthusiastic dominoes player and took advantage of planned activities and exercise sessions. Her evenings were spent first by watching Wheel of Fortune and followed by reading library books.

Eleanor is survived by children, H. Douglas Yoder of Lakewood, CO; Steven Yoder (Becky) of Kalona, IA; Lucinda Hoskins (George) of Wellman, IA; John H. Yoder (Joni) of Wellman, IA; Barbara Martin (Keith) of Newton, KS; Melissa Thomas (Ron) of Louisville, KY; and daughter-in-law Vici Yoder of Highlands Ranch, CO; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great- great-grandchild. Preceded in death by her husband, Howard; brothers Loran Swartzendruber and Carroll Swartzendruber; sister-in-law Leona Swartzendruber and son-in-law Gordon Brenneman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Monday, September 29, 2025 at West Union Mennonite Church rural Parnell. Private family burial will be held in the West Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 pm Sunday, September 28, 2025 at West Union Mennonite Church. A memorial fund has been established for Hillcrest Academy Endowment or West Union Mennonite Church.

Messages and tributes may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Eleanor and her family.