Floy Joanne Hotarek

Floy Joanne Hotarek died on June 5, 2023 in Ellensburg, Washington. She was born to Floyd and Emma Whitney on March 29, 1936 in Renton, Washington. Floy's childhood was spent in Issaquah where she found a group of girls who became her lifelong friends. They did everything together - stealing flowers, swimming in Lake Sammamish, and praying in the woods. These friendships sustained Floy throughout her life, making trips to Sequim and eating Kentucky Fried Chicken together until the very end.

Floy graduated from Issaquah High School in 1954 and came to Ellensburg to attend Central Washington State College that fall. She met Dale Lanegan there and they married in 1956. Together they had daughter Trina and son Mark Lanegan.

Floy spent the first two decades of her adult life working primarily as an educator for Central teaching at Hebeler Elementary, as a lecturer in the teacher education program, and for Teacher Corps. She also worked in curriculum development at the Migrant and Indian Center in Toppenish, WA. In 1978, she started her second career for Rockwell International, working at the Hanford Site and in Los Angeles, CA.

In 1983, Floy met the love of her life William Hotarek when he asked her to dance at the Toppenish Eagles. They'd go on to live on a 40-acre apple orchard in Zillah. Later they lived in Ellensburg where they hosted endless meals for family and friends. They were married 38 years.

Floy was full of life and larger than it, too. She poured herself into her grandchildren and made sure they had as many adventures as possible, including learning to fish and swim, riding jet skis, catching snakes and butterflies, and eating pizza and potato chips. "I can at Grandma's" was her motto. Floy loved to sing, dance, tell stories, gamble - she was very successful at winning turkeys - and collect antiques. For many years, she had an antique business, most recently as a vendor at Yesterday's Village in Yakima. Her friends there and throughout the Yakima Valley were always special and cherished, as were her dear friends in Ellensburg and the Tri-Cities. She loved you all.

Floy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and son. She is survived by her husband Bill Hotarek, daughter Trina Lanegan, stepsons Sheldon Hotarek (Ronda), Brendan Hotarek (Barb), grandchildren Casey Metz (Chantelle), Austin Metz (Tara), Teo Bicchieri (Teresa), Megan Hotarek (Greg), Paolo Bicchieri (Lucie), Kyle Hotarek, David Coppin Lanegan, great-grandchildren Ayden Metz, Brantley Metz, and Noémie Bicchieri. Floy is also survived by nieces Carol Cussac, Terry McBride, and nephew David Vadney.

In honor of Floy, have some fun. Hit the casino, go fishing, laugh with a friend.