Rhoda Louise (Vornehm) Dale Young

Rhoda Louise Dale Young, 87, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2026. She was born on September 3, 1938, in Indianapolis to the late Milford and Mildred (Lanham) Vornehm.

Rhoda’s life was a testament to perseverance, strength, and grace. At just three years old, she contracted polio and relied on crutches throughout her life, yet she never allowed her circumstances to define her or diminish her spirit. She attended Emmerich Manual High School, often walking to school alongside her sister or a friend who carried her books. Her quiet determination and unwavering resilience became hallmarks of the way she lived.

Of all her accomplishments, Rhoda considered her greatest blessings to be teaching Sunday School and being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In her own words, “There are no words to say how much I loved all my family.” Her love for them was steadfast, unconditional, and at the very center of her life.

Rhoda faced life’s challenges with extraordinary courage and faith. Reflecting on her journey, she once wrote, “Life wasn’t easy to get through, but I made it — common sense, willpower, and determination. I didn’t let anything stop me.” She often credited her parents and sisters, Jeanne and Joy, for being constant sources of strength, encouragement, and love.

She found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: reading, working jigsaw puzzles, and spending warm summer days sitting on her front porch. Rhoda was a proud wife and homemaker for many years and later worked for a time at the Nagasaki Inn restaurant in Greenwood, IN assisting with reservations. But, nothing brought her more happiness than time spent with her large family.

Her great-grandchildren lovingly called her “Greatest,” a title she truly embodied each and every day of her remarkable life.

Rhoda is survived by her daughters, Pamela Dale (Jeffrey) Schofield and Paula Dale; her step-son, Tony (Angela) Young; her sister, Jeanne Long; her grandchildren, Lindsey (Chad) Strunk, Shelby (Andrew) Helton, Cory (Liv) Martin, Jamey (Crystal) Schofield, David (Monica) Young, and Ashley (Josh Robinson) Young; eleven great-grandchildren; and her beloved cat, Chipper Jones.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Paul “Eddie” Dale and Robert “Bobby” Young; and her sister, Joy Kaler.

In keeping with Rhoda’s wishes, a simple graveside service will be held at Calvary Cemetery on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 1:00pm (435 W. Troy Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46225 - entrance off Troy Ave.)

Rhoda often spoke of how wonderful it was to have access to the medical care she received at Robert E. Long and Riley Hospital for Children during her early years of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rhoda's honor to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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