Julia B. (Yoder) Gerber, 83, of Sugarcreek, Ohio, died Dec. 7, 2024, following a short period of declining health.

Born July 28, 1941, in Crystal Springs, Kan., she was the daughter of the late David J. and Mayme (Boyts) Yoder. She married Dr. Robert L. Gerber on June 9, 1963, after graduating from the nursing program at Goshen College that same year. She earned a master’s degree in nursing from Ohio State University in 1964.

Julia worked at University Hospital in Columbus before serving much of her career in her husband’s medical practice. She was active in her community, especially with her church, First Mennonite of Sugarcreek, where she served in many capacities. She was involved with bringing hospice care to the area, assisted with the Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale and volunteered with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and Ragersville Elementary School. She served on the Mennonite Central Committee Great Lakes Board and traveled to Nicaragua for a learning/service trip. 

She was especially proud of her contributions in helping to establish the nursing program at Kent State University Tuscarawas campus. With her husband she traveled throughout the United States and abroad, often for mission work. She enjoyed gardening, games and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband; sons Chris of Stone Creek and Jon of Sugarcreek; sister Judy (Benji) Roth of Iowa; brothers Dean (Sharon) Yoder of Illinois, Lynn (Judy) Yoder of Colorado, Tim (Fran) Yoder of Kansas and Vic (Debbie) Yoder of Oklahoma; brother-in-law Don Gerber and sister-in-law Joanne Gerber, both of the Kidron area. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister and brother-in-law Phyllis (Willard) Widmer of Iowa, brother-in-law Harold (Margaret) Gerber and sister-in-law Pam Gerber, all of the Kidron area.