Eagle Grove native and longtime coach John Yoder will be remembered in a celebration of life at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond on Friday.
Yoder began his coaching career in Hayes, Kansas in 1971. In 1977, Yoder moved to Belmond to guide Bronco wrestling, which he did until 1995. He also coached Belmond-Klemme football from ’92 to ’98. Yoder was also an assistant football coach at Clarion from 1999 to 2001. John was named Iowa Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1991 and was inducted into the National High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.
John’s son Cory Yoder says his dad was passionate about everything he did and was always there for his players.
“What he expected out of you, you better be ready to practice. He didn’t take excuses missing, he was just one of those guys that was strict, firm and honest,” says Yoder. “My dad was a great motivator as a coach. My dad was passionate about everything he did, he was always there for his kids with the door to be open to listen to, if they had a problem. If you needed some extra help, to go in on Sundays, and he’d always be in there and doing his stats on Sunday. He used to go open his doors, and say okay, you guys can go work out on your own, I’m just gonna be in here doing the stats. That’s the little things that count.”
Yoder says the family is looking forward to catching up with those who knew John at the service.
“Please come out and celebrate. If you knew my dad, please come out and celebrate. He’d love to have you there. My mom would love to see you. Colby and I will be there. We’re gonna have food. Come out and reminisce because there are gonna be a lot of people. We’d love to see you.”
The celebration of life will be Friday from 4 to 8 pm, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond.
Those unable to attend that wish to send expressions of sympathy to the Yoder family, can be sent to 703 5th Avenue NE, Belmond, IA 50421.
