JoAnn Sotak

JoAnn Sotak gently passed away in her sleep and went to be with the Lord during the morning of Friday, August 3, 2012 at her daughter's home in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona. She was 77 years old. JoAnn was born on June 23, 1935 in Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin to the late Jack Eustus and Irene Helene (Geno) Philbrook. JoAnn moved to Arizona 47 years ago and has worked at several places since moving here. She worked as a chip assembler for Microsoft for many years and then worked as a seamstress for a drapery company. She was responsible for making the pleats that are found in drapes and curtains and was very detail oriented and expert at her craft. JoAnn also enjoyed serving people in various restaurants throughout her life, as she was a favorite waitress to many. Whenever JoAnn had any free time to spare, she loved to spend it doing her hobbies. She was an avid reader and she loved to go fishing. Her favorite fishing hole was at Show Low Lake. JoAnn's idea of a perfect day would consist of: 1. A Good Book. 2. Her Fishing Pole. 3. Hours to spend at Show Low Lake. JoAnn was the matriarch of a large family and she showed her special love, differently, to each member of it. She was a well-loved neighbor and friend to many and she will be greatly missed by all whom have had the privilege to know her. JoAnn is survived by her daughters: Charity Ann, Cynthia Marie, Patricia Ann, Laura Jean, Michelle Lynn, Melanie Ann; her sons: Michael Wayne, James Patrick; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Along with her parents, JoAnn is preceded in death by her husband, John Sotak; her sister, Jeanine Bietau; her brother, John Philbrook; a great-grandson, Dallas and a granddaughter, Jennifer. A special memorial service for JoAnn will begin 2:00 P.M., Friday, August 17, 2012 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona where Kevin Weaver, Chaplain of Hospice Compassus, will officiate. JoAnn's family would like to send a special "Thank-you" out to the special caregivers from Hospice Compassus who gave such tender and loving care to her during her last several weeks of this life. Memorial contributions to her children (C/O: Cynthia Cole, P.O. Box 1809, Show Low, AZ 85902) have been suggested by her family to help them through this difficult time.