Paula Jo Vasko

Paula Jo Vasko, age 60, of Dekalb, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago. Paula was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 9, 1964. Paula graduated Cardinal Stritch High School in 1982, and achieved her undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo in Accounting. Paula also secured a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at Northern Illinois University. She loved education and spent most of her life on college campuses encouraging others to seek higher education. Paula worked at the University of Toledo and Northern Illinois University.

 Paula was a devout believer of the Catholic faith and was involved in church, community and choir her whole life, even going on mission trips, including a trip to spread God’s love in Ecuador. You could find Paula volunteering at many church events or planning the musical program and practicing hymns. Paula was actively involved in Tres Dias retreats in Rochelle, Illinois and spent much of her time thinking of others and how Christ could change their lives through the power of prayer, especially of the rosary. 

 Paula was an avid baseball fan and her teams were the Toledo Mud Hens and the Baltimore Orioles. She especially enjoyed watching her favorite player of all time, Cal Ripkin, Jr. play the sport. Paula had two beloved pet rabbits; Peaches & Nutmeg. 

 Paula is preceded in death by her mother, Rose Hartford; stepfather, Edward Hartford; brother, John Vasko; aunt, Mary Ann Holdren, and uncle, Paul T. Borics. She is survived by her father, Gerald Nelson Vasko; sisters, Kathy (Steve) Darling-Weaver, Bobbie (Juan) Herrera, Heidi (Dave) Banjoff; brothers, Jerry (Kathy) Vasko, Jr., Tony (Shena) Vasko and Aaron Vasko; stepbrothers, Derek, Lee and Skip Hartford & stepsisters, Kim Hartford and Kim Hasapes; sister-in-law, Amy Vasko; aunt, Mary Jane Borics and many nieces & nephews and extended family members. 

Family and friends may visit the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd in Oregon on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4 – 7:30 p.m. where the rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Epiphany of the Lord Parish-St Stephen Catholic Church where the family will receive guests from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at North Oregon Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the family.  

This event will be live-streamed.  Click link below to view.

https://www.facebook.com/FreckFuneralChapel/