Cleora Marie (Ropp) Yoder, gently and peacefully passed from here to the place “prepared for her’ on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Fairmount Homes in Ephrata, PA, where she resided for the past year.  Cleora was married to Sherman Yoder who passed away May 2, 2005.  Due to declining health, the couple had relocated to Pennsylvania for winter months, to the care of their daughter, Elaine Yoder.  Following Sherman’s death, Cleora lived with Elaine in Conestoga, PA until the past year.

Cleora was born in Kalona, Iowa to Solomon C. and Vesta (Yoder) Ropp on October 29, 1922.  On July 14, 1953 she was united in marriage to Sherman M. Yoder in Kalona, Iowa.  The couple made their home and farmed on the prairies of North Dakota on Sherman’s family homestead in rural Wolford, North Dakota.  They enjoyed spending many winters in Arizona and Florida.  She loved Jesus and wanted to help others to know Him. As a single woman, she was involved in several mission opportunities in northern Minnesota and Michigan.  She was a homemaker who worked hard for her family, assisting with some farming operations, especially early in their marriage. She was a member of the Salem Mennonite Church, where she participated in church life which included Ladies Sewing Circle and teaching Sunday and Bible School.  She loved people, fellowship, and relationships.  Cleora was an easy conversationalist; no one was a stranger to her.

Cleora is survived by one daughter, Elaine Yoder of Conestoga, PA, three sons Mark and his wife, Caroline (Smucker) of Hartville, OH, Millard and his wife, Joy (Hochstetler) of Jamaica, NY, and Milford and his wife, Joyce (Brenneman) of Wolford, ND; fourteen grandchildren, Donovan, Elliot, Natasha, Elisa, Juliann, Adriel, Karlita, Madison, Kiersten, Kaitlynn, Kianna, Londa, Kendrick, and Kerwin Yoder; siblings, Herman (Gladys) Ropp of Harrisonburg, VA, Leroy (Edith) Ropp of Kalona, IA, Emil (Erma) Ropp of Kalona, IA, Anna Mae (Paul) Miller of Sarasota, FL,Cora (Levi) Miller of London, OH, Morris (Norma) Ropp of Blackduck, MN, Paul (Marlene) Ropp of Sarasota, FL, and Norma (Harley) Nisly of Kalona, IA; a sister-in-law, Anna Ropp of Harrisonburg, VA; nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years; her siblings, John (Violet) Ropp, and Wesley Ropp; and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name will be directed to Northern Youth Programs in Dryden, Ontario.  The family wishes to extend a warm note of thanks to all that have contributed to their mother’s life in the past years and for your love, support, and prayers during this time.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 16^th in the Lakeview Mennonite Church, rural Wolford.  Burial will be in the Old Order Amish Cemetery, Mylo.  Mr. Ward Beachy, officiating

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 15^th in the Lakeview Mennonite Church and will continue on Saturday for one hour prior to the service.