Leonard Ray Yoder, 84, passed away March 10, 2026. He was born May 22, 1941, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to the late Rufus and Wilma (Miller) Yoder.
Leonard grew up on a farm near Yoder, Kansas. After graduating from Central Christian High School, he worked as an orderly in 1-W Service at a local hospital in Evanston, Illinois. During that time, he married Marilyn Stutzman, and they moved to Evanston to finish out his last year of service. Upon returning to the Yoder area, Leonard worked at Central State Bank in Hutchinson. While still at the bank, he began farming, eventually leaving the bank to farm full time.
Leonard enjoyed many hobbies, including fishing, flying, buying/selling cars, singing and being a vendor at the Kansas State Fair, where he never met a stranger. From his earliest memories, he would travel to Sarasota, Florida, where he fished with his grandparents, parents, daughters, and later, grandchildren, and many friends. Leonard attended Maranatha Church in Hutchinson and was a member of Yoder Mennonite Church and Bethel Mennonite Church in Sarasota.
Leonard is survived by Marilyn, his wife of 64 years; daughters Sheila (Jonathan) Baer and Dedra (Steve) Sawatzky; brother, Willard “Bill” (Dora) Yoder; sister, Jane Zongker; and grandchildren, Jesse (Kaedi) Baer, Anneliese (Caleb Beachy) Baer, Katie Baer, Paul Sawatzky, Samuel (Hannah) Sawatzky, Grace (Scott) Schmidt; great grandchildren, Brooklyn, Barrett, and Blake Sawatzky; Joel Baer, and Leonard’s 100-year old uncle, Calvin Miller.
In addition to his parents, Leonard was predeceased by his sisters, Emma June Yoder and Mary K. Yoder, and brother-in-law, Phillip Zongker.
The family will welcome friends for a visitation on Friday, March 20, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Maranatha Church, Hutchinson. A memorial service will be Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. at Maranatha Church, Hutchinson. A private burial with family will take place at Yoder Mennonite Church Cemetery.
Leonard’s life was marked by kindness, hospitality and a deep faith in Christ. His family finds comfort knowing he is now at peace with his Savior.
A special thanks to Maranatha Church, Hutchinson, and Ott Funeral Home, Haven, Kansas. Memorials may be sent to The Jesus Film, www.jesusfilm.org, or The Open Door Health Services, www.opendoorhealthservices.com. Cards, condolences and memorial contributions may be mailed to Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Haven, KS, 67543.