On the recordMay 19, 2020
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.…





