R. Annabelle Yoder, 86, Minot, and formerly of Surrey, died on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in a Minot hospital.

Rhoda Annabelle Yoder was born on October 31, 1922 near Surrey, ND to Jesse and Edna (King) Yoder. She was reared on the family farm and attended rural schools for eight years prior to graduating from Surrey High School in 1942. Following graduation she moved to Minot where she attended and graduated from the Sisters of St. Francis School of Nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital in 1947. Following graduation she was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital, Sarasota FL, Hagerstown, MD and at the Air Force Hospital - Minot as a registered nurse for more than forty years prior to her retirement in 1984. She served as a caregiver to her sister for several years. Most recently, she had resided at Edgewood Vista.

Annabelle was a member of Fairview Mennonite Church and Prairie Peace Fellowship Church both Surrey prior to their closure where she served as Sunday school teacher, librarian and member of the church council for many years. She had been attending the Bible Fellowship Church for the past four years. She was a member and past president of the Women's Missionary and Service Commission. She was a member and past president of St. Joseph's Hospital Alumni Association and also a member of Heart to Heart. Her special interests included reading, traveling and crocheting afghans and knitting stocking caps.

Survivors include: brother: Fred (Ruth) Yoder, Harbor Springs, Michigan; sister-in-law: Katheryn Yoder, Minot; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Marian Yoder; brothers John and Earl Yoder and an infant brother Sidney Yoder.

Funeral Service: Saturday, May 23, 2009- 10:30 a.m. at Bible Fellowship Church.
Interment: Fairview Mennonite Cemetery.
Visitation: Friday, May 22, 2009- 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Memorials are preferred.