MaryAnn (Sopkowiak) Lhotka, 85, of Litchfield passed away January 31, 2025 surrounded by her family.
MaryAnn was born at the Hutchinson Hospital on April 15, 1939, the daughter of Henry and Anastasia (Nowak) Sopkowiak. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church. She attended District 69, St. Adalbert’s Catholic School, and Silver Lake High School.
On June 25, 1957, she married Floyd Lhotka. This union was blessed with four children: Gary, Cindy, Dale, and Debra. MaryAnn was a stay-at-home mom until she raised her children. Later she worked various jobs: Benz Produce, Herald Bartons, and last at Jerabek’s Produce for 12 years. After the produce closed, she retired and lived in Silver Lake for 37 years. They then moved to their lake home on Collinwood Lake for 16 years, then to Hutchinson Village Co-op, then finally to Litchfield in a town home. She loved working outdoors, fishing, playing cards with her friends, and playing bingo. She was known for baking kolaches and making her famous seafood salad all of which she shared with neighbors, family, and friends.
Her children were her pride and joy. She was a faithful church goer and prayed the rosary every day. She always tried to make it to adoration.
MaryAnn enjoyed traveling with her husband, children, and friends, and visited many popular tourist destinations: Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Nova Scotia, almost all of the U.S., and seven countries in Europe. Her favorite was Rome where she saw the Pope and all of the beautiful churches.
She is preceded in death by her two infant sons, Stanley and Mark; parents, Henry and Anastasia Sopkowiak; and brother, Donald Sopkowiak.
MaryAnn is survived by her husband of 67 years, Floyd; children, Gary (Terri), Cindy Klitzke, Dale (Lori), Debra (Dan) Peterson; grandchildren, Shelly (Robert), Jesse (Brittany), Alicia (David), Hayley (Aiden), Kalli (Kyle), and Chloe; great-grandchildren, Kendra, Klaire, West, Tate, Breckin, and two more on the way; and other relatives and friends.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at Holy Family Church in Silver Lake. Interment of the urn to follow at Holy Family Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake.
Online condolences for the family may be directed to www.mareshfuneralhome.
Please consider making a donation to ALS Association Minnesota Chapter to support research and services for those affected by ALS.
MARYANN (SOPKOWIAK) LHOTKA
