Cora M. Yoder

Cora Mae Maust Yoder, 95, of Pigeon, Michigan, died at Country Gardens on April 8, 2022 after a long and blessed life. She was born in Bay Port, Michigan, on February 14, 1927, to Earl and Idella Overholt Maust.

She was married to Luke D Yoder on December 28, 1949, in Pigeon, and gave her life to raising their four children, exceling in the art of homemaking, and supporting Luke in his work as pastor and farmer.

Born on Valentine’s Day, Cora carried a bit of the romantic in her, memorizing a poem to say when Luke proposed marriage. She loved watching sunsets after the table was set and before the family came in for supper. For well over 60 years, she kept a steady supply of chocolate chip cookies on hand for her children and grandchildren. She hosted countless guests for Sunday noon meals and found pleasure in her flowerbeds and vegetable garden.

Surviving are two sons, Darrel (Lynette) Yoder and Dale (Phyllis) Yoder, and daughter-in-law Patricia Yoder, all of Bay Port; her daughter, Gloria (Eugene) Diener of Harrisonburg, Va., 11 grandchildren, Shari Craig, Michael (Grace) Yoder, Obed (Kari) Diener, Brian (Melissa) Diener, Jeffrey (Rhonda) Yoder, Justin Yoder, Jaclyn Beitzel, Mitchell (Lauren) Yoder, Megan (T. J.) Gilbert, Tyler (Kendra) Yoder and Rachel (Grayson) Mast; 15 great grandchildren, Braydon, Maelin, and Regan Craig; Theodore, Cyrus, Frances, and Simone Diener; Derrick Gilbert; and Mason, Louisa, Willa, Vincent, Charles, Ezra, and Ruthie Yoder. She is also survived by her brother Glenn Maust, sister-in-law Freda Maust, both of Bay Port, and many favorite nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Luke Yoder; son Merlin Yoder, granddaughter, Katie Yoder; sister, Gertrude Dutcher; and two brothers, Elmer Maust and James Maust.

The funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m., April 11, 2022 at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church. Pastor Dave Maurer will officiate with burial in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 10th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm and Monday from 10:00am until time of service at the Pigeon River Mennonite Church.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Pigeon River Mennonite Church or Country Gardens Assisted Living.

Arrangements are being handled by the Champagne Funeral Chapel in Pigeon.