Elmina Yoder

Elmina Yoder, age 82, of Pratts, VA, peacefully went to meet her Savior and Lord on October 24, 2025. She was a resident at Mountain View Nursing Home, Aroda, VA the last twelve years where she received loving care from the staff, and was a member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church, Aroda, VA.

She was born to J. Elmer and Amanda Yoder in Virginia Beach, VA. on January 21, 1943. In 1962 the Yoder family moved to Madison County, VA. After Mountain View opened its doors, she was the sixth employee to be hired.

Elmina is survived by four siblings: Marie Yoder, New Holland, PA; Leora (Mervin) Overholt, Russellville, KY; Roy (Mary) Yoder, Harrisonburg, VA; Omar (Esther) Yoder, New Holland, PA.; sisters-in-law Erma Yoder and Paula Yoder.

Elmina was preceeded in death by her parents and four siblings: Treva Zook, Owen Yoder, Viola Yoder, and Eldon Yoder; brothers-in-law Bill Zook and David Yoder.

Elmina lived a full life. She taught school in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Ohio, as well as Virginia. She loved children and was very creative and made learning fun. Her first love was music and she loved to sing. She directed the music for three children’s recordings with her school students: Praises for Children, Gifts for Jesus, and Our Father’s World. She also compiled two children’s songbooks: “Praises for Children”, and “Praises We Sing”, with Lula Miller, a co-teacher.

After teaching for 13 years, she settled down in Madison County, Virginia, where she cared for several elderly ladies in her home and baked for Yoder’s Country Market.

In December 2013 she had a bad fall, breaking her right shoulder, and was unable to care for herself. At that point she was admitted to Mountain View Nursing Home. The staff often said they enjoyed her cheerful spirit and her singing. While she was there, she spent her time crocheting lap robes which went to her favorite charity, Christian Aid Ministries. Her greatest ministry was praying for many friends and missionaries. She would say, “I just pray and crochet all day”!

In the last few years, Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of memory and much of her communication skills. But she still had a smile and enjoyed to sing.

Funeral services will be held at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 563 Tom Johnston Rd., Aroda, VA 22709 on Tuesday October 28, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, and on Tuesday at 2:00 pm before the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Aid Ministries, PO Box 360, Berlin, OH 44610.

The family wants to thank the many friends for their support, and especially Mountain View Nursing Home staff for their loving care while she was there.