Mabel Levengood Yoder Derr

1929 - 2022

Mabel Yoder, born November 8, 1929, passed away on February 19, 2022 after a brief illness. Mabel lived and worked in Oley, Pennsylvania, her entire life and was immersed in community life there. Her father, Warren Levengood, was one of the founders of the Oley Fair and Mabel remained engaged in activities for the fair through 2021. The number of ribbons she won over the years for baked goods, vegetables, quilts and other sewing projects, crocheted items, and rugs could wallpaper several rooms. She taught her skill of making braided rugs or crocheted rugs to several others, most notably her beloved granddaughter, Lynn. Mabel and her first love, her husband, Carl Derr, hauled in the stones from the area fields for the foundation of the home they built in 1955 where she remained living the rest of her life. There she had an extensive garden each year enjoying the swimming pool after a hot day mowing or gardening. Naturally she excelled in canning and freezing her garden produce, as well as baking yummy treats. The favorites of her family and guests were her apple tarts, apricot tarts, nut cakes, and shoo-fly pies. Her chow chow was always a big seller at the sales for her church, Friedens United Church of Christ in Oley. Guests who attempted to help out in her kitchen laughed later as they withstood her watchful eye so that they did things correctly! Mabel and Carl were both hunters and each year would hunt for turkeys, pheasants, and deer. Mabel bagged her last deer while in her 80’s! They raised two sons, David, who presently lives in Florida with his wife, The Rev. Marjorie Weiss, and Robert, who predeceased her in 2020. They blessed her with four grandchildren, Lynn Boyer, wife of Justin, Fleetwood, PA, Angela Derr, Fort Collins CO, Brendon Derr, Phoenix AZ, and Devin Derr, AZ. She also had two great-grandchildren who lived nearby, Alexis and Michael Boyer. Bob’s widow, Christine Derr, Fountain Hills, AZ, remained devoted to her second mom. Mabel’s second love was Marion Yoder whom she married in 1981 after having been widowed for several years. Long distance car traveling was a regular, happy practice for them as they ventured far and wide across the United States. They celebrated the joy of their relationship each anniversary of their twenty year marriage with a big party for family and friends. Her third love, after Marion’s passing in 2001, was a local boy beloved by many, Johnny Noll. David and Marjorie enjoyed seeing the two octogenarians giggle together in the hot tub when they had visited in Florida showing her fun loving nature. Mabel was outgoing, happy-go-lucky, and a delight to be around due to those qualities. Her employment through the years was on her family’s farm, at the local bank in Oley, and after retirement as a part time meal preparation staff person at Oley Elementary School. If there were people she could talk with in any of those jobs she was content. Memorial gifts may be made to Friedens United Church of Christ, 337 Main Street, Oley PA 19547. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Oley is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.Stitzels.com.