Dr. Edna Bazik

  Dr. Edna F. Bazik, 74 passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  Edna was a professor, consultant, teacher, and author, but most of all a faithful Christian who shared her love with everyone. 

  Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Friday, December 17 at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator, Illinois and also from 10 A.M. Saturday, December 18 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Streator until the 11 A.M. funeral service.  Rev. John Gutz will officiate.  Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Streator immediately following the service.

  Born December 26, 1946 in Streator, she was the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Vagasky) Bazik.  She is survived by a sister, Anna Marie (Douglas) Yates of Arlington Heights; nieces, Jane (Kevin) Galli of West Newton, Massachusetts, Alice (Walter) Yates Jacob of Arlington, Virginia, Ann (Robert) Krieger of Brookfield, Wisconsin and Elizabeth (Greg) Masslich of Grafton, Wisconsin; grandnieces and grandnephew, Jill Galli, Zakira Masslich, and Joshua Masslich.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Andrew Matthew Bazik; and her Godparents, Thomas and Nellie Vagasky. 

  Born and raised in Streator, she graduated from Streator High School with the class of 1965.  She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s Degree, University of Illinois with a Master’s Degree, and Southern Illinois University with a Ph.D.  Her degrees were in Education and Mathematics.

  Edna worked in schools and universities throughout the state of Illinois and beyond.    She taught Math at Northlawn Jr. H.S., Streator; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale: Concordia University, River Forest; Illinois State University, Normal; Eastern Illinois University, Charleston; Oak Park School District 97, Oak Park; Hinsdale School District 181, Hinsdale; and National Louis University, Lisle.  Edna was an adjunct faculty member at Illinois Benedictine University, Lisle; Aurora University, Aurora; Chicago State University, Chicago; and Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.

  Edna was a speaker, presenter, and participant in hundreds of math workshops and seminars throughout the U.S. and internationally.  She spoke on math assessment in Seville, Spain and participated in the People to People Ambassadors Math Education program in Beijing, China.  Edna attended three conferences with the International Council on Education for Teaching in Fortaleza, Brazil; San Diego, CA; and Braga, Portugal.

  Several math handbooks, manuals, and journal articles have been written by Edna.  She co-authored 11 books. Edna also made significant contributions to state and national mathematics initiatives.  Since 2015, Edna served as the Coordinator for the Presidential Awards for Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) in Illinois.  Her leadership in this program on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and National Science Foundation resulted in outstanding STEM teachers from across Illinois being honored with the nation’s highest honor, the Presidential Award.  Each year, Edna worked tirelessly to recruit and mentor a diverse candidate pool representative of Illinois and found great joy and pride in celebrating the Illinois finalists and awardees.

  Edna received numerous awards; among these, she was awarded the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) Excellence in Middle School Mathematics Teaching Award, the ICTM Max Beberman Excellence in Teaching Mathematics Award, the ICTM Lola May Leadership Award, the National Louis University Excellence in Service and Teaching Awards, the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award, and the Career Advocate Award from the Illinois Career Development Association (ICDA).  Edna was inducted into the Illinois State University College of Education Hall of Fame and also the Streator Township High School Worthy Hall of Fame.  Edna has also established an endowed scholarship at Illinois State University which provides future students an opportunity to continue their careers in teaching math.

  Edna loved her vegetable garden and she enjoyed the sunshine, swimming and travel.  She always looked forward to attending celebrations with family and friends.  The productions at the Engle Lane Theater in Streator were very special to her.  She especially looked forward to getting together with the Streator Old #3 Church Committee, where she served as secretary.

  Edna was a lifetime member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Streator. 

  Memorials may be directed to the church at 101 Trinity Drive, Streator, Illinois 61364 or

  Dr. Edna Bazik Endowed Mathematics Teaching Scholarship.  Mailing address is                      Illinois State University Foundation   Campus Box 8000    Normal, IL 61790-8000

  Checks should be payable to:  ISU Foundation.  In the notes section include:  Dr. Edna Bazik Endowed Mathematics Teaching Scholarship 530-6106

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