Yvonne Pettinga

Yvonne I. Pettinga 88, died in her home on October 30, 2012. She was born May 19, 1924 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Emma and Victor Svoboda. She attended Syracuse University and was a member of the Omicron Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Her education was interrupted when her husband, Cornelius W. Pettinga enlisted in the Navy during World War II. She returned to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and worked at Iowa Power & Electric Company during the war. She resumed her education at Iowa State University and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. in Sociology. Yvonne and Neil moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 where he was employed at Eli Lilly & Company. Neil retired as Executive Vice President and served on Lilly's Board of Directors from 1966 until his retirement in 1986. Yvonne was a Red Cross social worker until 1954 when she had the first of her five children. Yvonne was a devoted mother and wife. She was a lover of animals and wildlife and generously supported their organizations. For fun, Yvonne loved to travel, cook and was an avid golfer, tennis and bridge player. Yvonne was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Woodstock Club and Meridian Hills Country Club in Indianapolis and John's Island Club in Indian River Shores, Florida. She was also an honorary member of the Fuzzy Club, a secret society organized by her children when they were very young. Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Cornelius W. Pettinga. Surviving her are her children Julie Pettinga Stalnecker, Steven Cornelius Pettinga, Mark Victor Pettinga, Thomas Landaal Pettinga, and Jennifer Louise Pettinga; and seven grandchildren. A private family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent Foundation, 8402 Harcourt Road, Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46260 Website: give.stvincent.org. Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan – Broad Ripple. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan