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Gary L. “Gator” Yoder, 70, of Riverside, passed from this life at his home on Sunday, May 4, 2025, following a sudden illness. He will be cremated, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date. A memorial fund will be established for the Highland High School softball program. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Gary Lynn Yoder was born Nov. 28, 1954, in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Leland “Bud” and Lila (Schrock) Yoder. He graduated from West High School in Iowa City and attended Clinton College, playing baseball while he was there.
On Jan. 17, 1981, he was united in marriage to Rita Sexton in Iowa City. With his family they operated Brenneman Seed and Pet Center in Iowa City from 1906 to 2021. Gary also maintained a paper route from 2009 until 2024, delivering papers for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, the Iowa City Press Citizen and the Wall Street Journal.
Gary’s passion for softball began while coaching his daughters during their town ball days and he continued coaching with the Highland High School softball program, currently serving as the statistician for the team. His softball girls were a big part of his life, and he attended events in the other sports they participated in regularly. Gary was also an avid bowler, bowling in a league at Colonial Lanes in Iowa City for many years. He was a “sportaholic” and especially loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife: Rita of Riverside; three daughters: Amanda (Jason) Adrian of Cedar Rapids, Sheena Yoder of Riverside, and Kelsey Yoder of Washington; seven grandchildren: Ryan, Stanley, Lorna, Johnathan, Brayden, C.J. and Logan; one great-grandson: Jackson; his mother: Lila Gould of Cedar Rapids; and two brothers: Randy Yoder of Iowa City and Larry Yoder of Cedar Rapids.
Preceding Gary in death was his father: Bud Yoder; his stepfather: Mel Gould; and his in-laws: Clayton and Jeannette Sexton.
