Marian J. Yoder, 87, 600 S. Main St. Minot, formerly of Surrey, died Saturday, December 2, 2006, in a Minot Healthcare Center.

Marian was born August 9, 1919, on the family farm near Surrey, North Dakota, the daughter of Jesse and Edna (King) Yoder. She was raised on the family farm in New Prairie Township of Ward County and attended country schools in that area. Due to the death of her mother, Marian assisted with the operation of the family farm from the time she was fifteen years old, until she moved to Minot in 1958 to live with her sister, Annabelle.

Marian was employed with Trinity Hospital in the laundry department for a number of years, until retiring in 1984. She had lived at ManorCare Health Center the past two years.

Marian was a longtime member of Fairview Mennonite Church in Surrey, where she was active as the assistant librarian for 40 years and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was a member of the Women's Missionary and Service Commission, acting as president for several years. She had also been active in the Heart to Heart Bible study group and enjoyed sewing quilts, braiding rugs, reading, gardening and traveling.

Her loving family includes : Sister: Annabelle Yoder, Minot; Brother: Fred (Ruth) Yoder, Harbor Springs, MI; Sister-in-law: Kathryn Yoder, Minot, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Earl, John, and Sidney.

Funeral Service : Thursday, December 7, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. in Hope Lutheran Church, Surrey;
Interment : Fairview Cemetery, rural Surrey;
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Fairview Cemetery Association.