Montezuma - My husband, our father and grandfather, Arland (Arlin) Irving Yost, was born Sept. 11, 1928, to John and Lena Smith Yost on the family farm in rural Gray Co. He peacefully left his earthly life on July 25, 2019, at Bethel Home, Montezuma, reaching the age of 90 years.

At the age of three, daddy contracted polio. This handicap gave him a tender heart toward those who were less fortunate. Despite his disability, he was able to work hard and provide for his family. The dustbowl years made a lifelong impression and helped shape his frugal character. Dad lived by the rule of "Waste not, want not."

As a young man, he accepted God's call and was baptized by Min. David J. Koehn. His personal commitment to God thru his life gives us a calm assurance of his salvation. Our dad attended North Lone Star School in rural Gray Co. Dad started school knowing very little English as Low German was the primary language at home. In March of 1946, at the age of 17, Dad took a trip to Italy. He took this trip in the company of Herman Frank, Jesse Loucks, Sr. and Bill Nusser to replace horses and mules lost during World War II. He often talked about the 21 day ocean crossing and the sights of Italy.

He fell in love with a neighbor girl who lived three miles down the road. He and Florence Fay Frank were married on June 12, 1949. Two sons and three daughters were born to this union. Our parents enjoyed a happy marriage and recently celebrated 70 years together. Farming was dad's lifelong occupation, including good years of land leveling with his brother Howard. Harvest time required teamwork with Dad needing Mom to drive grain truck to the elevator. He saw a drastic change in farming procedures during his lifetime. Meaningful prayers were a part of his daily devotions and family gatherings.

In the mid-eighties, our parents spent 13 months at Hogan Hozhoni, Window Rock, Arizona, as house parents which left them with many good memories. In 1990, our parents built a home in Montezuma and moved there to enjoy their retirement years. Dad enjoyed wood-working and spent many happy hours in his shop. Due to declining health, Dad moved into Bethel Home July 4, 2015, residing until his death.

Left to cherish his legacy are two sons: Daymon and Marilyn Yost, Sublette and Daylen and Cheryl Yost, Copeland; three daughters: Londa and Howard Koehn, Montezuma, Becky and Kent Nichols, Gentry, Arkansas, and Jan and Lonnie Nichols, Copeland; Sixteen grandchildren and 30 great-grand children. Surviving family members include a sister Orreda Yost, Livingston, California, and Priscilla Harlow, Satanta. Preceding him in death were an infant sister Gertrude and Dorothy Jantz, four brothers: Wilbur, Howard, Loran, and Earl.

The family wishes to thank Bethel Home for the wonderful care he received while there.

Funeral service will be held at Salem Mennonite Church, Copeland on Sunday July 28, 2019 at 10:30 AM. with Ministers Sam Unruh, Jr., Steve Unruh, and Kelsey Unruh presiding. Burial will follow at Salem Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Saturday July 27, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.