Lena Hartz Yoder, 94, of Menifee, Calif., died April 15, 2021. She was born April 30, 1926, to Elam and Malinda Hartz in Morgantown, Pa.

She lived in Morgantown until she was 11, when she moved with her family to a farm in Oley, Pa., where she attended Oley Mennonite Church. She graduated from Goshen College in Indiana in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree.

Before graduation from college she served with the voluntary service program of Mennonite Central Committee in Gulfport, Miss., which instilled in her a service orientation that she practiced throughout her life, helping others as needs became apparent. After college graduation she taught grades 1-8 at Red Run School, a one-room schoolhouse in rural Lancaster County.

She moved to California in 1959 for health reasons and took summer courses at San Diego State Teachers College and in 1963 obtained a lifetime State of California elementary teacher’s credential. Almost immediately she obtained a teaching job in the Riverside School District, where she worked until retirement.

During her retirement years she lived in the San Diego area and was a member of San Diego Mennonite Church. She worked in a real estate office, where she became interested in real estate investing. Additional interests included the Nature Conservancy, where she helped provide local leadership, nutrition and health, alternative medicine and travel.

She married Mahlon David Yoder of Menifee in 2003 in San Diego. She lived a lifestyle trusting in God’s providence and seeking to bring glory to God rather than to herself.

Survivors include her husband, Mahlon David Yoder; and a sister, Pearl Hartz. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jacob Hartz.

A private memorial service was organized by San Diego Mennonite Church, with assistance provided by Sonata Hospice, and held at the Yoder residence in Menifee. Donations may be given to Mennonite Disaster Service and Wycliffe Bible Translators.