Pauline Margaret Yatsko

Pauline Yatsko passed away peacefully on January 31, 2024 at the age of 92 at Hoosier Village Health Center. She received excellent loving care there after a fall in mid-October caused her to have several breaks and further medical complications. She was working hard at physical rehabilitation, but she was never able to get back to full health. The family would like to thank her entire care team at both St. Vincent Hospital and Hoosier Village for their kindness, care, and support over the past several months.

Pauline was born on June 8, 1931 in Gary, Indiana. Her parents, John and Mary Yatsko preceded her in death. She had one sister, Mary (Yatsko) Pearce, and a brother-in-law, Bill Pearce, who also preceded her in death. We called them "The Big Three." They lived together and supported one another their entire adult lives. Pauline never married but became a wonderful second mom as a dear Aunt to six nieces and nephews, and their spouses and children. She loved them dearly and they in turn loved her and cherished her guidance and friendship.

These surviving family members include:

Bill Pearce;

Jim Pearce (Jody), and their son Ryan;

Mary Ellen Ball (Michael) & their children, Sarah Scheidler (John), Ryan, Megan & Lauren, Emily Bible (Russel), Lucy & Nora, Kevin Ball (Claire), Caroline & David, & Brian Ball & his fiancé Elizabeth Kaspers;

Donna Ornelas (Dan) & their children, Caitlin Ornelas & Maribeth Flynn (Justin), Maddox & Elle;

Kathy Tsouchlos (Tim) & their children Carissa & Adam;

Paula Pearce.

Pauline graduated from St. Francis College in Joliet, Illinois in 1953, along with four of her high school classmates from Bishop Noll. She returned home to Gary to begin her career and rekindled all her friendships with grade school and high school friends as well. She taught High School mathematics at Calumet H. S. for over 40 years. She enjoyed being the cheerleading coach, volleyball statistician, and both senior class and honor society sponsors for a great many years. She had great teacher friends who traveled the world with her to exciting places, including Europe and Australia. In their later years, they loved going to shows and playing the poker machines in Las Vegas. She enjoyed trips with her nieces and their children as well. She loved to read and do all sorts of needlework and puzzles. Pauline was a great neighbor, and for the past 8 years after the death of her sister and brother-in-law, neighbors and family were there for her. Everyone enjoyed taking her to live theater or just out for lunch! She was always willing to join family celebrations. Pauline was able to attend many children's programs and activities of her great and now great great nieces and nephews at their preschools and grade schools throughout the years. She was a faithful Catholic and rarely missed Sunday Mass. She loved life and loved striking up a conversation with anyone she met. Everyone at the bank and the grocery store knew her by name. She will truly be missed by many.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive East, Indianapolis, Indiana. Visitation will be held at the church also on Saturday beginning at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pauline’s memory may be made to St. Luke Catholic Church or Little Sisters of the Poor.

Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com