Judy Sobottka

Judy Irene Sobottka (Stoner) was born on September 26, 1942, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Jesus guided her home on January 10, 2025, in Omak, Washington.

Judy spent her early years in the rural town of Morris, Minnesota, where she admired the working horses on the farms. As the second oldest child, she took on a maternal role early, caring for her two younger brothers. Judy developed a fierce independent nature and a strong work ethic. She loved synchronized swimming, teaching swimming lessons, and working as a lifeguard. Judy's adventurous spirit even led her to fly a single-engine airplane. She graduated from Morris High School.

Judy earned her B.A. in Art Education from the University of Minnesota, focusing on painting and printmaking. She taught herself to weld steel sculpture. A highlight of her early career was teaching high school art in Mankato, Minnesota, where she ran the art department and directed several senior plays. One of Judy's favorite stories involved the school principal marveling at the beautiful projects her students created despite a limited supply budget. When Judy resigned to pursue her master's degree, the principal begged her to consider it a leave of absence, hoping she would return. However, further education was calling her, so she packed up her Pontiac Bonneville convertible and headed to graduate school. Judy never stopped teaching art and continued to teach several K-12 and college art courses, as well as lessons for her youngest grandchildren.

Judy earned her M.A. in Counseling from the University of California, San Diego, and worked at several high schools. It was at one of these schools where she met and later married the father of her children. Judy always maintained that her greatest achievement and source of tremendous pride was being a mother to her two sons. She poured herself into nurturing and educating her boys, being active in their schools and activities, teaching them to swim, and encouraging all creative endeavors, including art and music. Judy's creativity guided her parenting; she crafted custom costumes for her sons, designed indoor forts, and baked elaborately decorated birthday cakes. Her Christmas baking was legendary, as were the tales of squirrels opening cookie tins kept outside to cool.

As her boys grew older, Judy returned to counseling, spending most of her career at Lakes High School in Lakewood, Washington. She was known across the district as the go-to person for getting things done, and her reputation as a counselor extended far beyond her official duties. Judy was not only a high school counselor to her sons and later her granddaughter but also to all their friends. She never turned anyone away, always offering a helping hand and a listening ear to those in need.

An immensely talented artist, Judy constantly collected source imagery, sketched, purchased art, and encouraged her loved ones' artistic ventures. While she enjoyed sculpture, printmaking, and oil painting, her primary loves were watercolor and collage. Judy was passionate about flowers, especially irises, and her watercolor paintings of flowers were exceptional. Her knack for found objects and integrating textures was exquisite.

Judy loved estate sales, treasure hunting, horses, dogs and cats, chocolate malts, and tea cakes. After Tab Cola was discontinued, Pepsi became her beverage of choice. She was smitten with catalog shopping and valued handwritten notes. Judy brought color and pizzazz to all who were blessed with knowing her.

She lived most of her life in the Lakewood, Dupont, and Tacoma areas. Recently, she retired to Omak, following her youngest grandchildren and the promises of homesteading antics, fresh baked bread with homemade jam, and adventures in the sun. In Omak, Judy returned to a rural lifestyle and found joy in her grandchildren's affection for and knowledge of the land and their animals.

Judy was the heart and soul of her family. She embodied grace, strength, and unconditional love. Judy was a guiding light and source of endless inspiration. Truly, she was the best mother, and that is exactly what she strove to be. Judy was a treasure beyond compare and stating that she will be sorely missed is indeed an understatement.

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love."

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Alma Stoner; sister Jean Parker; brother Marc Stoner and his wife Mary Stoner; first husband and dear friend Thomas Sobottka; sister-in-law Joan Sobottka; and second husband Roy Larry Gottshalk. Judy is survived by her brother Bob (Nancy) Stoner; brother-in-law Hunt (Jean) Parker; brother-in-law Hugh (Joan) Sobottka and his three daughters, Anne (Guy) Auld, Cathy Sobottka, and Mary Sobottka. She is also survived by her two sons, Jason (Jane) Sobottka and Brandon (Brandy) Sobottka, and her three grandchildren, Courtney Taylor, Alaric Sobottka, and Hazel Sobottka.

In honor of Judy's memory, her family encourages everyone to take a moment to call their mother and cherish the time you have together.