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[Pages S2500-S2501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE YODER
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I give tribute to a lifelong Iowan
who has devoted his career in service to families who are mourning the
loss of a loved one.
From an early age, Charles Yoder knew what he wanted to be when he
grew up. He lived next door to the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman, IA.
That is where Charlie's precocious path to his lifelong occupation
first started. Years later, he graduated from the Worsham College of
Mortuary Science in Illinois. He returned home to Washington County,
where he manages two funeral homes in Wellman and Kalona.
Like many small business people across my State, Charlie's leadership
reaches deep into the community. His civic stewardship reflects a
character of service to others. He is a member of the Rotary Club,
Kalona Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of Washington County,
and the Dayton Lodge. His public service includes time spent on the
Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation and the Kalona
Library.
A member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Charlie
participated in its leadership conference here in Washington, DC, for
the past 3 years. Like so many other events, the national conference
this year was cancelled due to COVID-19. That didn't stop Charlie from
stepping up to lead and help his profession navigate these difficult
times.
For the past 4 years as president-elect and president of the Iowa
Funeral Directors Association, he developed strong relationships across
its eight districts, traveling to each one across the State. Networking
strengthened his efforts to update strategic plans and foster
continuing education services.
This collaboration also helped Iowa funeral directors meet
unprecedented challenges from the pandemic. Iowans are known to
celebrate the lives of the deceased with large funeral gatherings,
attended by many people in the community, who gather to pay their
respects and help friends and family mourn the loss of a loved one.
Obviously, COVID-19 limited large social gatherings, including
graduations, weddings, and funerals.
Charlie developed guidelines to help Iowa funeral home directors
adapt to the public health crisis and continue providing safe,
compassionate, and personalized attention to the people and communities
they serve.
As caretakers in their respective communities, Charlie did not let
COVID-19 redefine their mission to serve with professionalism, empathy,
and integrity. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and the Iowa Department of Public Health, Charlie's
leadership helped ensure the public welfare was protected and that
grieving families and their loved ones remained in good hands.
I thank Charlie for service to his community and his vocation. As he
steps down as president of the Iowa Funeral Directors Association, I am
pleased to learn a member of the next generation plans to follow in her
dad's footsteps. I congratulate him and his wife, Dorie, and wish their
daughter Morgan all the best as she starts her studies and pursues her
dream this fall.
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