Duane Yoder

1927 - 2011

Duane Yoder

Newton

Duane, 83, died on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, at his home in Newton. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 14, 2011, at the funeral home. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, February 13, 2011, at the funeral home. Memorials may be left to Hospice of Jasper County.

Duane was born on June 4, 1927, in rural Parnell, Iowa, to Omer and Nettie (Hooley) Yoder. He graduated from Parnell High School and attended Heston College in Kansas. Duane was united in marriage with Viola "Vi" Yoder on September 12, 1947, in Newton. In 1956, they moved to Wayland and in 1962, to Fairfield. Four years later they made their home in Newton. Duane worked at Farm Bureau Insurance for almost 30 years as a manager. Following Vi's death, Duane was married to Sandra Slesinski Goering on November 7, 2008, in Newton.

Duane was a member of Ducks Unlimited, the Izaak Walton League, and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed many activities including church, singing, hunting, traveling, spending quality time with his grandkids, taking care of the lawn and flowers and socializing with his many extended family members and friends. He also liked to do woodworking, go fishing, coffee time with his friends and eating desserts he wasn't supposed to have.

Those left to honor Duane's memory are his wife, Sandra Yoder of Newton; two daughters, Becky (John) Neff of Walnut Creek, California and Kathy (Jim) Collins of Helena, Montana; his two sons, Gary (Lori) Yoder of Newton and John Yoder of Newton; two step-daughters, Melissa McSparen of Newton and Mary Cass of Newton; his step-son, Martin Watters of Altoona; 18 grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Kathryn Yoder of Wellman, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Vi, in 2006; his son, Lee Yoder; brother, Russell Yoder; and a grandson, Seth Watters.