July 19, 1930 — October 2, 2020
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The final chapter is written, and the book is closed. Dee Yoder, of Kingsland, formerly of Sunrise Beach made the ultimate journey to be with the Lord on October 2, 2020. Her first chapter began on July 19, 1930 in Berlin, Pennsylvania being born to Owen and Mildred (Musser) Yoder.
Dee proudly served her country in the United States Army Nurse Corps from 1956 until her retirement in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Lieutenant Colonel Yoder was commissioned on April 20, 1956 and entered active duty on May 1, 1956.
Her first assignment was to the Medical Field Service School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas until June of 1956. Other continental United States assignments include Ft. Bragg, NC, July 1956 to July 1958; Letterman Army Hospital, Presidio of San Francisco, California, August 1958 to attend the Basic Operation Room Course.
Lieutenant Colonel Yoder was assigned to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, February 1959 to October 1959. Her careen continued at Noble Army Hospital, Ft. McClellan, AL, January 1961 to January 1964, Medical Field Service School, Ft. Sam Houston, for the Army Nurse Corps Officer Career Course, January 1964 to July 1964, Walter Reed AMC, Washington, DC, July 1964 to July 1965.
She completed the Advance Operating Room course while assigned to WRAMC and them moved to the US Army Hospital, Ft. McPherson, GA from July 1967 to May 1968; US Kimbrough Army Hospital, Ft. George G. Meade, MD, June 1969 to September 1971. Her final assignment was November 5, 1973 until her retirement at Brook Army Medical Center as a Clinical Nurse in the Operating Room Nurse Section.
Lieutenant Colonel Yoder’s overseas tours include US Army Pacific, Korea, November 1959 to January 1961, 10th Evacuation Hospital and 33rd Field Hospital, US Army Europe, Germany, July 1965 to July 1976; 29th Evacuation Hospital, 68th Medical Group, US Army Pacific, Vietnam May 1968 to June 1969; and Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, from September 1971 to November 1973.
During her service, Lt. Col. Yoder was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.
After retiring from the military, one of Dee’s greatest and proudest achievements was creating the Christ-Yoder Animal Shelter and Adoption Center in Llano County. For 16 years Dee Yoder, Linda Christ, and many volunteers spent tireless hours raising money to build the shelter for the animals. On January 3, 2000 the Christ-Yoder animal Shelter was opened. Her deep love for animals and constant work, fundraising and getting the community involved helped make her dream a reality.
She is survived by her dear friend, Linda Christ, of Kingsland, nieces, Tammy Newton and husband Max, of Mesa, AZ, Dixie Mosura, and husband John, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, Barbara Baronas, great-nieces, Desiree and Deandra, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, great-nephew, Cody Newton, and greatgrand niece, Texie Newton. She is preceded in death by her mother, father, younger sisters, Janice McClain, Jackie McFarland, niece, Ginger McFarland, and nephew, Jerry McFarland.
A visitation will be 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday October 15, 2020, at the Putnam Funeral Home Chapel with The Reverend David S. Sugeno officiating. Interment will follow at
Lakeland Hills Memorial Park with full military honors rendered by the Highland Lakes Honor Guard. Maps and an online guest register can be found at PutnamCares. com. In lieu of flowers,
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hill Country Human Society for the Animal Shelter, 9150 RR 1431, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609 or hillcountryhumanesociety. org.
Funeral arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home & Crematory LLC, Kingsland.