Megan Marie Yoder

Megan Marie Yoder, Our sweet, vibrant, 21-year-old daughter, died August 25, 2017 after losing her year-long battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Our hearts are broken with grief, but we know she is finally at peace and without pain as she has made her final journey to be with our Lord and Savior. Megan was born on December 4, 1995, in Indianapolis. She graduated from Sycamore Middle School (2010) and Roncalli High School (2014), and was a member of the IU Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business Honors program (2018) Megan was a truly remarkable young woman who touched and inspired many lives. After surviving Childhood Leukemia, she wrote, “I am the antithesis of the John Mayer song, ‘Waiting on the World to Change’ for I will never be the person who waits for problems to fix themselves. When given the chance to help a person or improve a situation, I fully dedicate myself to bring about that change.” And so she did, first by volunteering in the cancer research field as a Riley Foundation Champion, and then again as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Girl of the Year. She spoke at multiple fundraisers, modeled for print ads, blogged about her experiences, filmed videos, and met with corporate heads to promote sponsorships. (No one could say no to our petite, fiery, charismatic girl). Megan’s desire to help others continued as she found that she loved interacting with people of other cultures and learning about their diverse social needs. Whether it was a church mission trip to build a house for a family in Ecuador, volunteering at the Botanical Gardens in Quito, Ecuador, or spending last summer at an internship in Seville, Spain, where she worked on drone technology for use in medical emergencies and disasters, these experiences opened her mind and strengthened her resolve to make a difference with her life. Megan had a passion for life. She loved nature and all that God created. As an avid scuba diver, she treasured the oceans and her time underwater. She visited many national and state parks and felt a calling to do her part to protect our environment. As a photographer, Megan tried to help others see the beauty of God’s creations. She loved people and did her best to inspire. Megan studied Supply Chain Management and Sustainable Business at IU’s Kelley School of Business, with the intent of using her business degree to impact the world. She wanted to help people in underdeveloped areas improve their lot in life and to help alleviate their suffering through self-empowerment. In honor of Megan’s passion for Sustainable Business, we are establishing a scholarship fund in her name. We know she fulfilled her aspiration of making a positive difference in this world. We hope others will find inspiration to live their lives to the fullest and their own unique way to impact this world. Megan is survived by her family: Jacob Luebbehusen (fiancé); Michael & Dr. Cathy Cosby Yoder (parents); and Kyle Yoder (brother). She is also survived by her grandparents, Wilbur & Evelyn Yoder and Ron & Mary Cosby; as well as her numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and loving friends. We are eternally grateful to Dr. Mary Lou Mayer in Indianapolis for her caring support and treatment of Megan, and to Dr. Henry Friedman, Dr. Allan Friedman, Dr. Grace Kim, and the wonderful nurses and staff at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University. They are doing remarkable research and making great progress in the treatment of Glioblastoma. Some day they will find a cure! Visitation will be Saturday, September 2, from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 3, from 1:00 p.m. until the Celebration of Life service at 2:00 p.m. Both the visitation and service will be held at Shirley Brothers Thompson Road Chapel, 3333 E. Thompson Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the Megan Marie Yoder Award for Sustainable Business scholarship fund or the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center in honor of Megan Marie Yoder. Donations may be made at www.youcaring.com/meganyoder.

Tributes

Megan Marie Yoder

December 4, 1995 - August 25, 2017