Olga Dotlich

Olga Dotlich, age 87, a long time resident of Hobart, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2017 from complications of a stroke. She was born in Gary, Indiana on January 15, 1930 and was the third child of Bude (Robert) and Ana (Anka) Kriscović Dotlich. Olga leaves her dearly beloved friend and neighbor of 46 years, Marilyn Leach, her sister, Mary Dotlich Milanovich, her brother, Bogdan (Bob) Dotlich, her niece and nephew, Donna Milanovich Srajer (George), Robert Emil Milanovich (Cindy), and their families, as well as many friends, relatives and students. She was predeceased by her brother Rade (Rody)Dotlich and loving friend Anne Van Beek. She will be sorely missed by her beloved schnauzer, Missy. Like her parents before her, she was a member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church where she served as President of St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle from 1998-2000. She loved working for the 49th Street bingo, and the “kolo” and packing up the strudels and nut rolls were her favorite activities. She was also a member of the Hobart Senior Center. She attended Emerson High School from 1944-1948, where she was a member of the GAA Board, the National Honors Society, and the Sophomore Girls Treasurer and Sales staff. She then graduated from Iowa State Teachers College, now known as University of Northern Iowa, with a degree in education in 1952. She later returned to University of Indiana to receive a Masters in Education in 1963. She began teaching at Evanston Township High School, and then moved to Emerson High School, where she led a thriving Girls Athletic Association. She ended her teaching days at Lew Wallace High School. A lifelong athlete, Olga started her softball career in her senior year of high school, playing on the Chicago Rival Dog Food semi-professional team. Olga then became a member of one of the first women’s softball teams, called “The Cardinals,” of the National Girls Baseball League owned by Charlie Bidwell. She later played amateur softball with the “Valparaiso Queens.” Her .407 batting average helped the team win the American Softball Association title. Later in life, she applied her athletic abilities to the game of golf, competing and winning women’s club titles at the Cressmoor and Indian Ridge golf courses. She was proud of her two hole-in–ones. Babe Massa, Stella Kline, Clarice Thomas, Dolly Paviakovic were among her many esteemed golf partners throughout the years. Olga loved teaching and always tried to be fair, encouraging, and considerate of the feelings of her students. She made sure that the embarrassment of being picked last wasn’t left to the least able. She was kind and loving, and her intelligence, keen wit, and dry sense of humor will be missed by all those who knew her well. The family thanks Marilyn Leach for her years of friendship and care, as well as Dolly Pavaikovic, Denise Miller, Ron Jage, Patty Rees, and Marianne Ypsilatis for their loving friendship and assistance to Olga. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 16, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN, with Father Marko Matic celebrating. Visitation for Olga will be Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 2:00pm to 7:00pm at Burns Funeral Home, 701 E 7th St, Hobart, IN 46342, Hobart. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery. A special thank you to the retired Hobart police department officer, Jack Grennes, for his unfailing courtesy and helpfulness. The family asks that charitable contributions in Olga Dotlich's memory be made to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville. www.burnsfuneral.com

Olga Dotlich

January 15, 1930 - June 10, 2017