Soo Ja Yanoski 1937-2024

Soo Ja was born Sept. 28, 1937, in Taegu, Korea, a daughter of Jo Hwan Uk and Chang Nam Jung.

Soo Ja’s early years in Korea instilled strength and perseverance. She married in Korea and then moved to the U.S., proudly gaining her American citizenship in 1966. She later started working at Ok Soon’s Oriental Restaurant in Youngstown, where she found her passion for life cooking for and serving others. She also sold food at Pyatt Street Market, St. Luke’s Festival and the Warren Flea Market, among others.

She married Frederick D. Yanoski on Aug. 8, 1992, and they began a wonderful and loving partnership in life and in business until he passed away, Dec. 27, 2021. They spent most of their 30-plus years together in the Oriental food concession business and were known and loved, especially at Rogers Flea Market and the Canfield Fair. Soo Ja took great pride and loved providing delicious foods to customers, family, friends and neighbors. Her specialties were eggrolls, fried veggies, tempura chicken and fried rice.

She eagerly hosted every holiday at her house and generously provided plenty of food. She was the family matriarch, a caring mother, precious grandmother, talented businesswoman, devoted Christian, trusted friend and kind neighbor.

Soo Ja also loved going on long drives with Fred, working in her yard, attending church, talking on the phone, playing cards, visiting the casino, and spending time with family and friends. She was tiny, but strong and determined, with a vibrant personality. She was caring, and also had a fun and adventurous spirit. Soo Ja loved her family, friends, neighbors and Korean community deeply.

She was a member and deacon at the Korean United Methodist Church of Youngstown. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Soo Ja leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters and sons-in-law, Catherine and Troy Butcher of Warren, and Sandra and Louis Wiesen of Girard; grandchildren, Steven, Jared (Alexis Savinda) and Lucas Wiesen, and Owen, Jay and Macey Scerba; brother, Soo Chang Jo; sisters-in-law, Song Ok Jo and Hun Ja Jo; nieces and nephews; and other dear family members and friends.

Besides her parents, Soo Ja was preceded in death by and is now reunited with her beloved husband, Fred; cherished son, Jim Scerba; brothers, Soo Young Jo and Hyul Sang Jo; and an infant sister.

A burial service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Calvary Cemetery, 248 S. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown, OH 44509.

A celebration of life service will be led by Pastor Hyun-Suk Kim at noon Saturday at The Elm Tree, 170 Walton St., Struthers, OH 44471, with a luncheon to follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman. Family and friends are encouraged to offer prayers for the family and support via phone call, text, email or may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com.

(special notice)