Yvonne Polise

Yvonne Noel (Houlne') Polise, age 80, of Sarasota, Florida, and Beulah, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital following an unexpected illness. Her daughter and close friends were lovingly by her side.
Born on Christmas Day, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, Yvonne was adopted by Francis and Lois (Lamoreaux) Houlne' and raised in Aurora, Illinois. She graduated from Madonna High School, then attended St. Louis University for two years where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She graduated from Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, Illinois in 1967 and worked in the Department of Obstetric Nursing. It was during nursing school that a fellow classmate introduced her to a handsome pilot, Jim Polise. The two married on July 15, 1967, in Aurora and began a beautiful life together-a nearly 57 year partnership that lasted until Jim's passing in June 2024.
Yvonne and Jim first made their home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, before settling in Warsaw, Indiana, where they raised their three daughters and built lifelong friendships. Yvonne worked for many years as the Admissions Director at Miller's Merry Manor. After 21 years in Warsaw, a new chapter took them to Portland, Maine, where Yvonne found the joy of retail working at her beloved Hallmark store-a place Jim jokingly said she spent all her paychecks. They eventually returned to Warsaw in 1999, where Yvonne, true to form, found yet another Hallmark store to call home.
In retirement, Jim and Yvonne split their time between Greenfield, Indiana, and Sarasota, Florida as well as touring the country in their RV. They purchased a home in 2017 on Crystal Lake in Beulah, Michigan where they spent their summers. They continued wintering on Lake Ibis in Sarasota, where they embraced the communities at Sun Outdoors and Church of St. Patrick Catholic Church and enjoyed the Florida sunshine.
Yvonne gave generously of her time and spirit. She was a proud team member of the IU Health Miles for Myeloma ride and an Auxiliary Member of the Sun Outdoors Resort Honor Guard. Her hobbies included recreating cherished family photos with Diamond Dotz, playing the dulcimer with the Sun Outdoors Musical Group, working on crosswords, knitting blankets and doing cross-stitch, reading, and taking part in spirited card games with friends. She loved theater outings, family gatherings, and evenings filled with laughter on Kentucky Avenue.
Yvonne is survived by her three daughters, Connie (Mike) Mills, Deb Polise (husband Kevin Jowitt), and Vickie (John) Slater; her grandsons Mitchell Mills, Chandler Mills, and Jack Slater; and her brother Joe Houlne'.
Whether caring for others as a nurse, laughing with friends, or fiercely competing at the card table, Yvonne approached life with sincerity and quiet strength. With Jim often traveling during his 45 years as a corporate pilot, she wholeheartedly carried the home front, making sure her girls were involved in everything they loved and guiding them into the strong, independent women she was so proud of.
Though her family will miss her beyond measure, they take comfort in knowing that Yvonne is now reunited in heaven with her beloved "Jimmy."
A private burial will take place on November 28, 2025, in Frankfort, Michigan. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Arrangements with Jowett Family Funeral Home.
The family invites those wishing to remember Yvonne to consider a memorial contribution to Dogs Inc. In a touching continuation of the Polise family's legacy, Dogs Inc. has trained a service dog named Jim in memory of Yvonne's late husband. Jim just graduated and was placed with his guardian, Linda, on November 13th. Linda stated at the graduation ceremony that she especially loves that Jim has a silly personality but is always ready to work. For those that knew Jim Polise, these characteristics describe him perfectly! If you would like to make a donation, please go online to dogsinc.org