Good-bye 2020 and WELCOME, to a brand new year!

 

Raymond Yoder Obituary

 I received word that Ray Yoder has passed. Ray was a quiet unassuming man who lived with his wife Waneta back on Pecos and in the last few years lived either in a nursing home or assisted living, I'm not quite sure which. I know that when Ray lived in the park he would always smile and greet me when we would meet.

Raymond L. Yoder, age 75, of Donna, Texas passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Raymond was born July 13, 1945 to Fannie Mast Yoder and Calvin C. Yoder.

Raymond was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 56 years, Waneta B. Yoder; son Jerry L. Yoder (Sandra); and son Norman L. Yoder (Yadira). Raymond leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Ashley, Jennifer, Aaron, Raymond Bradley, Crystal, Evan and 2 Great grandchildren Nolan and Wyatt. Raymond also leaves behind 9 brother and sisters Henry, Edna, Sarah, Lester, Ervin, Calvin Jr., Weldon, Erma, and Fred all who will miss him dearly.

Raymond was preceded in death by mother Fannie Mast Yoder and father Calvin C. Yoder, brother Chris, sisters Verna and Irene.

Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heavenlygracergv.com for the Yoder family.

· FAMILY

·   Fannie Mast, Mother (deceased)

·   Calvin C. Yoder, Father (deceased)

·   Waneta B. Yoder, Wife

·   Jerry L. Yoder (Sandra), Son

·   Norman L. Yoder (Yadira), Son

·   Raymond leaves behind 6 grandchildren, Ashley, Jennifer, Aaron, Raymond Bradley, Crystal, Evan and 2 Great grandchildren Nolan and Wyatt. Raymond also leaves behind 9 brother and sisters Henry, Edna, Sarah, Lester, Ervin, Calvin Jr., Weldon, Erma, and Fred all who will miss him dearly.

 

Christmas in Magnolia Park in Happier Times

Just for fun I looked back at all my Christmas photos from Magnolia in previous years. They bring back lots of good memories of people and events. As I looked through them I couldn't help but notice that some of these people are no longer with us but when I asked Jim if I should include any pictures of people who have passed, he said, "they were part of Magnolia too" and I think he's right. These pictures bring back lots of memories of good times and good people and I remember the fun we had together. They are only a very small sampling of Christmas in Magnolia Park.

From our house to yours, no matter where you are, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with good health and happiness in these very uncertain times. 

The Best Gift

 

  This Christmas remember the Spirit of Christmas and keep it dear. And make the very first gift you give the greatest one: Give the gift of love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians Chapter 13

May you and those you love have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS filled with love and joy – and the true spirit of Christmas.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Barb and Butch Brooker

Winter in the Rio Grande Valley

 I haven't posted much on the blog lately because frankly there really isn't much to post any more. We went over to Magnolia with Chet & Irma the other day. It's really pretty sad. Mostly stuffed full of all the very large mobiles that have been brought in and very crowded. Irma is taking care of helping Jan Brom sell her unit over on Aspin so has been over to Magnolia several times. Yesterday she and I went over again and the few people who are there were setting up in Allen Hall to begin selling items starting with the Christmas "stuff". The only people left on the board who are in the park are Pat Kent and Margaret Schmaltz and they are pretty much in charge right at the moment. I believe Jana, who took Irma's place as secretary will be coming after Christmas. Today there were park wide patio sales but it was a dreadful day with cold temps and rain all day long so not sure how many people actually showed up. I know we stayed inside pretty much all day. Tonight we watched the McAllen Holiday Parade which was virtual and it was shown on TV. Kind of fun, lots of big balloons and even fake snow falling down, fireworks too. I took a bunch of pictures with the phone and posted some of them on my Facebook page.

There are going to be a few more Magnolia people moving over here to Trails End and Dick & Leslie Cleaveland along with Ray and Lil Droogsma have moved over to Casa del Sol. When we went into Allen Hall it certainly brought back lots of memories of all the good times we had in there over the years.

The park we are in this year seems to be okay and the people are very friendly, in fact a lot like Magnolia even though it is much bigger. From where we are parked, it is about 1/2 mile up to the place where the dumpsters are (that means 1/2 mile back too. Our spot is so well lit with a big light right behind us that I don't think our Christmas lights are going to show up very well but we'll put some up anyway. We have a grapefruit tree and an orange tree right here that we can pick from if we want. It's actually pink grapefruit which is usually pretty good but we haven't tried them yet.

I believe most people down here really are trying to be very careful. The stores require masks and it is enforced which is so nice to see.

In a normal year this is a very busy park and there are still activities going on, even with the covid situation. They make charity quilts and I looked in on that and met a few ladies. Chris P. and Irma were there too helping with the tying. There seem to be quite a few birds around which of course I like and it is in a great location. It has just been sold and will become an Encore Park (think Victoria Palms) so it will be interesting to see what happens here in the future and what happens to the rates.

There are a few jams being held in the Valley with extra precautions being taken. Some parks are having drive-in movies outside - golf carts and chairs, all the while social distancing as well as other activities. If you think there is nothing going on down here you would be wrong, it's just different but I do believe the end of this is in sight with the promise of the vaccines coming in the near future. It would seem mind boggling to think about trying to get the whole world vaccinated but it would seem that's about what it will take, or at least the majority.

Even as I write this I can hear the rain once again coming down but tomorrow it is supposed to be better, I think the rain will be done and the temps should go up. Unfortunately there is quite a severe drought down here so the rain is really badly needed. I'm sure what came down all day didn't amount to a whole lot so it will still be too dry.

If you are trying to decide if you should come to the Rio Grande Valley this year there are still lots of things going on, most people are trying very hard to comply with the mask requirements and at least for us Wisconsinites, the positivity rates down here are quite a bit lower than they are at home.

Stay safe, wherever you are and if you are traveling, safe travels!