Geraldine P. Yoder

Geraldine P. Yoder was called home to the Golden Streets of Glory on August 27, 2021. She passed peacefully in her home in the quiet town of Mililani in the Hawaiian islands, where she was the happiest. Mililani originates in the Hawaiian language and means “love from heaven” so it was serendipitous that she chose this location to make her earthly transition to become a guardian angel.

She is survived by children, John Scott (Lisa) Yoder, John Shane (Anissa) Yoder, Johnna Sheri (Randy) Harper, and John Samuel Yoder (partner, Michael Marsh); grandchildren, Yvonne Marie (Jason) Stefanski, Wyatt Andrew Yoder, Olivia Marie (Denny) Bryant, Randal Kalai (Shyanna) Harper, Kolina Sheri (Jason) Brown, Evan Andrew (Kaylee) Yoder, Jacob Ronald (Karissa) Sherwood, Mariah Joelle Rable, Kaden Jay Harper, John Shane Yoder, Jr., Cloe Ann Knisel, Remington Andrew Yoder, Seth J. Knisel, Kiana Lynn Yoder, Montana Kailani Yoder, and Axle Kahuna Yoder; and great grandchildren, John Brody Stefanski, Diesel Jay Stefanski, Stella Pearl Stefanski, Teegan Renee Yoder, Taytum Renee Yoder, Kaliegh Marie Hossler, Kolten John Harper, Kyslee Kay Harper, Hadley Jae Brown, and Huntley Rae Brown.

She is also survived by brothers, Robert (Opha) Phillips and Gary (LaDawn) Rickard; brother-in-law Lowell (Marylin) Yoder, sisters-in-law, Lois Gerken, Marel Harris and Joan Yoder; She also leaves to cherish her memory many nieces, nephews and cousins as well as countless friends around the world.

Geri was preceded in death by husband, John Franklin Yoder; sons, John Stephen Yoder and John Stewart Yoder; great granddaughter, Adalyn Sheri Faith Harper, and her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Pepe. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Joseph (Mary) Elias; parents, Ronald and Dorothy (Elias) Rickard; mother and father-in-law, Loran (Vera) Yoder; siblings, Duane Rickard and Faye Auld; sisters-in-law, Dewila Jean Tilton, Martha Yoder and Sharon Wyse; and brothers-in-law, Paul Dean “Dutch” Yoder, Lester “Butch” Yoder, Everett Wyse, James Tilton, and Richard Harris.

Her Hawaiian name was Imilani and she was deeply appreciative and proud of her Hawaiian heritage and culture. She was born to Ronald and Dorothy (Elias) Rickard in Waipahu on the island of Oahu on March 1, 1936. Imilani wanted to return to her birthplace to peacefully enjoy her golden years, after spending over six decades in northwest Ohio.

As a young child, she witnessed first hand the attack on Pearl Harbor and recalled seeing kamikaze pilots as they swept over the island. She learned to swim in the Waikiki Natatorium, and her teacher was none other than the world famous surfing legend, Duke Kahanamoku.

A former student of Sacred Hearts Academy, at the tender age of 15, she sailed away from the Aloha Tower waving goodbye to family and friends with tears in her eyes as she headed to the mainland where she went on to graduate in 1954 from Bossier High School in Bossier City, Louisiana.

She met her husband John Franklin Yoder who was stationed in the military at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. They were married on January 15, 1955. A couple of years later, they moved to Ohio, where the late Mr. Yoder was originally from. Together, they had six children and started a successful machinery business, J&G Industries.

They built a beautiful Southern Plantation-style compound in the small town of Holland, a suburb of Toledo. Every year at Christmastime, the Yoder Compound was illuminated with thousands of lights and decorations drawing visitors from miles around. Sometimes, if you were lucky, Mrs. Yoder baked homemade cookies and passed them out.

Humble and modest, Geri was known for her sparkling smile and her contagious aloha spirit. She was generous with love, support, encouragement and joy for everyone she knew. She didn’t have a selfish bone in her body and despite having endured many hardships of her own, she always wanted to help others and was perpetually kind, empathetic and generous beyond measure.

She loved to celebrate everything, especially birthdays, holidays and graduations. Blessed with a beautiful voice, she sang at many weddings and was also in the church choir. She was known to sit at her dining room table and make out greeting cards for hours to send to the many people in her large family and close circle of friends, all of whom were made to feel like family. She especially adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and savored time spent with them.

Geri was admired for taking on the role of mother to those who had lost their own parents, including close family friends, Ken Hill and Candy Corbett, who was her side-kick and caregiver for over 60 years. The family is forever grateful for the kindness and compassion shown by her beloved Candy.

She was known as Mama Yoder to countless people, especially among the dirt race track circuit where she and her husband enthusiastically cheered their son Shane, a former race car driver who was known as the “Flyin’ Hawaiian,” a perfect blend of both worlds for her. They spent many decades “at the races” watching the legacy continue through their grandson, Ky Harper, oftentimes with dirt flying so fiercely it turned her white hair brown.

Gifted in the kitchen, some of her specialties included beef roast, pork chops with apples and homemade toffee at Christmastime. Nobody ever went hungry at her house, where the smell of her food cooking made mouths water.

She always enjoyed entertaining and hosting guests. Her ability to giggle while simultaneously telling a story drew the listener in and soon the entire room was filled with joyous laughter.

She had the gift of gab, the knack of “talking story” and never met a stranger. When it was time to leave a party, John often said, “Geri, talk fast! We’re leaving!”

One could always count on her to listen and offer support and encouragement. A woman of faith, she read scriptures and daily affirmations and seemed to have a direct line to God through her constant prayers.

Geri wanted everyone to know that she was “one tough cookie.” This was evident in the many times she demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. She was a pillar of strength despite a myriad of challenges presented throughout her life, always remaining loyal and tenacious.

She thoroughly enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 of the United States. She enthusiastically explored Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Most of all, she enjoyed going for drives around Oahu, her breathtaking island home. She took great pleasure in visiting the North Shore, indulging in shave ice and watching the monster waves.

Geri also loved to go to live concerts, musicals and theatre productions and relished the opportunity for dressing up. She was always the epitome of class, grace and style.

She adored her Hawaiian Ohana, the Iseri’s, and most especially looked up to her 101-year-old Aunty Dorothy Elias. Equally important were her neighbors on Poloahilani Street, especially June Seo, who was a hānai sister. Hānai is a term used in the Hawaiian culture that refers to the informal adoption of one person by another.

On Monday, September 20, a visitation will be held in Ohio at Holland Gardens, 6530 Angola Rd., Holland, from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. followed by a service celebrating her life. Guests are encouraged to wear aloha attire and food will be served in the afternoon. In Hawaii, there will be a private visitation and service followed by a public drive through visitation on Saturday, September 25 from 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, 1330 Maunakea St., Honolulu. A private burial service will follow immediately at Hawaii Memorial Park, 45-425 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Living Faith United Methodist Church, 1240 Columbus Dr., Holland, OH 43528 or Responsive Caregivers of Hawaii (RCH), PO Box 75380, Kapolei, HI 96707. RCH is a nonprofit organization supporting adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs on Oahu. She was known and loved as “Aunty Geri” at RCH where there was a demonstration of mutual admiration, respect and affection between her and the staff and program participants. She felt moved to tears every time she visited. RCH was a special place where she received the unconditional love that she so freely gave all of her days on this earth.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Yoder family.

FACIAL COVERING IS REQUIRED. SHOW YOUR ALOHA BY PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING.