Elsie Yoder

YODER Elsie Mae Loertz, went to her Lord on October 20. She was born March 22, 1914 in Seymour, Indiana to John and Ida (Buhner) Loertz. She lived in Paterson 50 years, graduating from William Paterson University, earning a doctoral equivalency. She taught in Paterson schools over 22 years, as a Reading Specialist at Paterson Catholic HS, and as a tutor at Felician College for 17 years, retiring 2 years ago. She also was an artist and organist. She was married for 57 years to the late Rev. James Willard Yoder. She is survived by children Dr. John James Willard and friend Yvette of Georgia, Dr. James Willard, Jr. and his wife Thelma of Tennessee, Dr. Felicia Yoder of Paterson, Margaret Johnston of Hawthorne, NJ, Dr. Sherida Yoder and her husband Dr. George Cronk of North Haledon, and Michael (deceased). She was a grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her sister Marjorie Baldini of Pompton Lakes. Mrs. Yoder received the Franciscan Award from Felician College and is listed in Who's Who in the East and Who's Who of American Women. She was gentle and kind, never rejecting a stray cat or refusing to help a student. She took in displaced persons and refugees. She delighted in beauty. She used her beautiful, generous heart for others. Most of all, she was a profoundly loving wife and mother. During her illness, she showed both fortitude and sweetness. We were truly blessed to have her for so many years, and yet we longed for more. The family will receive friends at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad St., Ridgefield, NJ. From 4-8 PM on Saturday. The service will be at St James Episcopal Church in Ridgefield NJ at 2 PM Sunday, with a short visitation preceding the service. For directions or to send condolences, go to blackleyfuneral.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elsie Yoder, please visit our floral store.