Rocky L. Yoder, 68, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Rocky was born November 17, 1954 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado . He was one of five children born to Wilbur and Phyllis (Bedker) Yoder. At the age of 12 he started working in construction with his father. At 16, he worked at Jerrys Texaco Station changing tires and assisting with the pumps. In high school he became interested in Rodeo bull riding. He graduated from Littleton High School. He then attended two years at Sterling College before he started working at the Arabian Horse Registry in Illinois. Later he returned to college and got a Degree in Agriculture Science. He moved to Russell, Kansas in 2004.
Rocky was united in marriage to Brenda Schmidtberger on October 1, 2011 in Hays, Kansas. They made their home in Russell.
Rocky worked at the Land O Lakes where he did the rations for cattle feed. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, Kansas. He was known for his artistic wood carvings and had Art shows at the Deines Cultural Center and the 4-H Building in Russell.
Rocky’s surviving family include his wife of 11 years, Brenda of the home; two brothers, Larry Yoder (Karen) of Hugoton, Kansas and Randy Yoder (Shelley) of Wauneta, Nebraska; sister, Nancy Noble (Steve) of Lincoln, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Rocky was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melody Burr.
Celebration of Rocky’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 21, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. Cremation has taken place. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.