Holly LaDue Ulrich

February 28, 1941 – May 28, 2026

Helen (Holly) (Bazarnyi) LaDue Ulrich, 85, daughter of Efrosinia and Maksym Bazarnyj of Peru, Ind., passed away quietly Monday evening, May 18, 2026, at Waterford Place Health Campus in Kokomo, Ind., after a long struggle with dementia and terminal sarcopenia.

Holly was predeceased by her father, mother, and sister, Dunya Long of Kokomo and her brother, Mykola Bazarnyj of Chicago and her second husband, Lee UIrich of Indianapolis.

She is survived by her son, John LaDue, daughter-in law, Mrs. Tammy (Hicks) LaDue, her daughter, Mrs. Lisa (LaDue) Martin and her son-in-law, Cary Martin all of Kokomo. She has three grandchildren, Mrs. Faith (LaDue) Dugan, Gavin LaDue, and Tanner Martin. She also has two great-grandchildren, Gunner and Goldie Rose Martin. She is also survived by four nieces, Mary Hetzel, Lucy Flora, Sophia Agoranos, and Luba Dyker as well as twin nephews Peter and Paul Bazarnyj.

In addition to her family members, Holly is also survived by a special friend, Larry Kasey of Noblesville, who was fortunate enough to know her for over 20 years and who shared a home with her for more than 15 years.

Holly was voted Circus City Queen of Peru, Ind., in 1962 and she was First Runner Up to Miss Indiana that same year where she was also voted Miss Congeniality. Holly was a graduate of Peru High School and Indiana State Teachers College. Holly was a member of the Kokomo Art Club and the Hamilton County Artists Association for many years, and she had taught art at Pettit Park School in Kokomo as well as giving private and class art lessons in her home. She was well known for her lifelike portraits, her jewelry, and many other art forms. For someone who was small in stature, (4’10”), she was mighty in spirit, and she has left a giant footprint on the world as well as a huge imprint on the hearts of many of its citizens.