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Evette Makar Yoder

January 23, 1992 - March 13, 2022
Visitation
St. John's Episcopal Church
600 Ferry Street
Lafayette, Indiana 47901
Saturday 3/19, 10:00 am
Service
St. John's Episcopal Church
600 Ferry Street
Lafayette, Indiana 47901
Saturday 3/19, 11:00 am
Memorial

A memorial service will be held in Phoenix, Arizona at a later date.

Evette Makar Yoder died in a motor vehicle collision in Tipton County, Indiana the night of March 13, 2022. She was 30 years old.

Evette was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 23, 1992, to Monica Alderson and Jim Gillcoat, and was adopted by Lowell and Ruth Yoder. She earned an associate’s degree in chemistry at Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana in 2015. During a gap year between attending Hesston and Goshen, she served with Mennonite Voluntary Service in St. Louis, Missouri. She spent summers with Mennonite Disaster Service helping to rebuild communities struck by tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. She served as crew leader on several construction projects. Some of the male crew members she worked with were not happy about taking direction from her. Nevertheless, she persisted, because despite her small build and quiet voice, she was a bad-ass.

At Goshen College, Evette was active in a student board game club, where she gained a reputation as an “absolutely ruthless and cutthroat” adversary who wiped the board with her opponents. One of these opponents was Stuart Kurtz, who, being a glutton for punishment, asked her out on a date, sort of but kind of not, then later for real, and proposed to her a few years later. They were married on July 28, 2018.

Evette’s fierceness was never more on display than in her care and compassion for humans and animals in need. She worked as a mental health caseworker for several years, and most recently worked as a pet-sitter. Her clients, and their pets, adored her, and several clients expressed surprise at how their usually-skittish pets warmed to her.

In addition to board games and pets, her interests included shopping at thrift stores (designer wedding dress: $16 plus tax), Anime, Pokemon Go, video games, and being goofy with her husband.

She is survived by her husband Stuart Kurtz of Indianapolis, Indiana; her parents Ruth and Lowell Yoder of Phoenix, Arizona; and her birth parents Monica Alderson and Jim Gillcoat of Phoenix, Arizona.

A visitation with family will be on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at 10:00 am, followed by her funeral at 11:00 am, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 600 Ferry St., Lafayette, Indiana 47901.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Episcopal Memorial Gardens.

A memorial service will also take place in Phoenix, Arizona, at a date and place to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Aspire Indiana at https://www.aspireindiana.org/give

If you would like to assist Stuart and Evette’s family, please use this GoFundMe link. Please read the description before donating. https://gofund.me/5156f39c

 

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Visitation
St. John's Episcopal Church
600 Ferry Street
Lafayette, Indiana 47901
Map
Saturday 3/19, 10:00 am
Service
St. John's Episcopal Church
600 Ferry Street
Lafayette, Indiana 47901
Map
Saturday 3/19, 11:00 am
Memorial

A memorial service will be held in Phoenix, Arizona at a later date.

Evette Makar Yoder died in a motor vehicle collision in Tipton County, Indiana the night of March 13, 2022. She was 30 years old. Evette was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 23, 1992, to Monica Alderson and Jim Gillcoat, and was adopted by Lowell and Ruth Yoder. She earned an associate’s degree in chemistryContinue Reading

See Condolences
Joanne & Joe Caporale left a message on March 21, 2022:
We are friends if Heidi Kaufman. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all. This is such a tragic loss for everyone.
C. Hall left a message on March 21, 2022:
My deepest condolences to Evette’s family and husband. I had the pleasure of knowing Evette back at Hesston college. Some of my best memories were in Organic Chem there with her. She had the warmest and most genuine smile and laugh and was one of the most caring people that I’ve met. She is greatly missed.
C. Hall left a message on March 21, 2022:
My deepest condolences to Evette’s family and husband. I had the pleasure of knowing Evette back at Hesston college. Some of my best memories were in Organic Chem there with her. She had the warmest and most genuine smile and laugh and was one of the most caring people that I’ve met. She is greatly missed.
C. Hall left a message on March 21, 2022:
My deepest condolences to Evette’s family and husband. I had the pleasure of knowing Evette back at Hesston college. Some of my best memories were in Organic Chem there with her. She had the warmest and most genuine smile and laugh and was one of the most caring people that I’ve met. She is greatly missed.
Ken and Jane Kauffman left a message on March 19, 2022:
We were heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of Evette. We are good friends with Lowell and Ruth and the rest of the Yoder family. Our deepest sympathies to all of her family and friends.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Vernabelle Stayrook left a message on March 19, 2022:
She must have been an amazing woman ! I have known her only from what I have read in posts here on facebook. I know your grandparents, Maynard and Joy which is why it appeared on my page. My heart grieves for you especially, Stuart. The loss is so monumental words are not adequate to express the feelings. I hope over time that the many joys you shared with Evee will turn from pain to comfort. Peace and blessings now and as you take one step at a time towards recovery and healing. I send my love and prayers. Vernabelle Stayrook
Shelly Piacenza left a message on March 19, 2022:
I had the pleasure of having Evette as a student at Cortez. I was the assistant Theatre Director/Manager. Evette assisted in the Theatre department with tech and stage. She also did dance. She was a hard worker and someone that could be counted on. She had a vision and followed through on many technical tasks. She was a friend to everyone and cares about everyone regardless of who they were. She had her own style that just fit her and she was just lovely. She was part of my Dream Team with all of the Theatre and Dance shows that she was part of. I am so very sad to hear of her untimely passing. My condolences to her husband, family and friends. Rest in Paradise sweet Evette.
Karen Kauffman left a message on March 19, 2022:
Dear Stuart and family, so sorry for your loss,. So sorry I didn't get to met her, we would've had lots of laughter. Such a beautiful smile.. Continued hugs and prayers
Sonya Neeb Royal Paws Pet Sitting left a message on March 19, 2022:
Evette was a true blessing to her pet sitting clients and the animals she cared for. She is greatly missed by her clients and her pet sitting coworkers.
Stephanie G Slater left a message on March 18, 2022:
My condolences to all. I did not know Evette personally but I am a friend of Lowell's.
Bonnie Cowen left a message on March 18, 2022:
I am so sorry for your loss of Evette. She was a sweet young lady. You will all be in my prayers.
John Ginder left a message on March 17, 2022:
I had the honor and privilege to work with this heart of gold at Aspire. She always put the patients/ clients first,and looked after their well being. Very unselfish and compassionate. When ever I would see her she would always ask how I was, if life was good, and she was always wearing a smile. A true pure beautiful soul!
Denise Island left a message on March 17, 2022:
Stuart with deepest sympathy your love one has left behind memories that will live in your heart forever. May God bring peace and comfort to you and your family. Denise Island
Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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