Yvonne M. Laszlo

Yvonne M. Laszlo, 90, of Osceola, Indiana, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior at 9:13 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at her residence.

Yvonne was born on September 3, 1935, in Croswell, Michigan, to Raymond B. Kipp and Leona W. (Hurley) Kipp. Yvonne graduated from Croswell-Lexington High School in 1954, and moved to Mishawaka to attend Bethel College (1954-1958), where she received a teaching degree. Later, she earned her master's degree from Ball State University. She made her home in Osceola, Indiana.

On August 1, 1972, in South Bend, Indiana, she married Robert D. Laszlo, who preceded her in death on July 9, 2011.

Yvonne devoted her life to education and to serving others. She was a first-grade teacher for 39 years, retiring in 1997. During her career, she taught in both Cassopolis and South Bend schools, including Franklin School, Lincoln School, and Studebaker School. Yvonne spent decades shaping young lives with patience, kindness, and unwavering faith. Even after retirement, she participated in tutoring and after-school programs, and enjoyed working at Creative Teaching in Mishawaka. Yvonne never gave up her passion for teaching and pouring into the lives of those she met-she truly never knew a stranger.

Her faith in Christ was the guiding force of her life. Yvonne was a faithful member of Gospel Center Missionary Church, where she found great joy in worship, fellowship, and serving the Lord. She was a member of the church choir for years, and was deeply involved in children's ministries, musicals, tutoring programs and AWANA, well into her 80s. Music brought her great joy; she loved playing the piano for children's church and participated in the Michiana Concert Band where she played the trombone. She especially loved big bands and going to concerts in the park.

Yvonne had a deep love for the outdoors and took great pride in her home. She enjoyed gardening and always planted more than enough to share, growing rhubarb, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. She meticulously maintained her lawn right up to the very end.

She also cherished simple joys: doing puzzles; playing Skip-Bo and dominoes with "her girls," Ellie and Leah; watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! every weeknight; and talking on the phone with her close friend, Edie, about their day and who won. She treasured her friendship with Dawn, whom she affectionately called her daughter, and enjoyed lunches and trips to Whole Foods together. Saturday nights were reserved for the Old Gospel Hour and The Lawrence Welk show, which prepared her heart for Sundays in church.

Yvonne was an only child and had no children of her own, but she lovingly touched the lives of countless students, church members, and friends throughout the South Bend/Mishawaka community. Her family includes Daniel and Andrea Hoover; Ellie Hoover; and Leah (Sam) and Jacob Shaferly.

Friends may visit from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Gospel Center Missionary Church, 930 S. 30th Street, South Bend, Indiana 46615, with Pastor Jon Ranous officiating. Friends may begin gathering at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Olive Cemetery in Elkhart, IN.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Center Missionary Church, 930 S. 30th Street, South Bend, IN 46615; or Bethel University, 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka, IN 46545.

Yvonne will be remembered for her deep faith, her love of music, and her lifelong dedication to teaching children and serving the Lord. Her gentle spirit and faithful life will remain a blessing to all who knew her.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com