Gladys Lucille Yoder Obituary (1928 - 2023)

Gladys Lucille (Selzer) Yoder, 94, of Harrisonburg, VA went to be with Jesus on October 3, 2023 after a courageous 6-year battle with cancer. She was born in Goessel, Kansas, on Dec.7, 1928, the youngest of 7 daughters of the late Harry & Edna Selzer. She graduated from Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas and taught at elementary schools for 6 years: 5 in Kansas and 1 in Arkansas. Gladys married Wayne Yoder of Wakarusa, Indiana in 1953. They lived in Indiana 10 years, then their family moved to Arkansas where Wayne pastored at Buffalo Mennonite Church 10 years. The family moved to Harrisonburg in 1974. Gladys gave her heart to Jesus as a child. She reflected her love for the Lord by loving people and was a beloved friend to many. She enjoyed singing and their family enjoyed singing together. She enjoyed reading and relating to people and was a wonderful hostess to all who visited. Under Virginia Mennonite Missions, Gladys, Wayne and 2 children served a term in Trinidad 1977-1980 and they loved the people there. Throughout her life, Gladys enjoyed teaching ladies' Bible studies and mentoring younger women. She volunteered at Harrisonburg Pregnancy Center many years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma and was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church. She was preceded in death by 5 sisters, her youngest son, Ernest Dean Yoder, in 1986 and her husband of 61 years, Wayne Yoder, in 2014. She is survived by one sister, Doris Bitikofer of Moundridge, Kansas. She is also survived by 4 children: Jeanie (Denny) Siegrist of Fort Mill, SC; Stan Yoder of Lake Worth, TX; Janet (Larry) Yoder of Uniontown, OH and Barbie (Dale) Hartzler of Harrisonburg, VA. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Tim Siegrist, Ramona Siegrist, Carla Siegrist, Jonathan Siegrist, Rachel Yoder, Katya Yoder, Derek Yoder, Heather Maggart, Jenny Hartzler, Katherine Hartzler and Isaiah Hartzler and 15 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank special home health aide, Jenni for her loving help; the staff of Sentara Hospice for their caring, encouraging, supportive presence and the staff of Blue Ridge Rehab for their kind and loving care. A memorial service will be held at VMRC's Detwiler Auditorium at VMRC on October 23 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, VMRC Foundation, 1491 Virginia Ave, Harrisonburg, VA. McMullen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.