Maria Sotak

With grace in her heart and prayer on her lips, Maria Sotak, 81, of Whiting, IN, was called home to be with the Lord. Born in Germany and raised in Poland, Maria carried her faith, heritage, and strength across oceans when she moved to the United States in her twenties, determined to build a life grounded in love, faith, and family.

She was the beloved wife of the late Gabriel Sotak, a devoted mother to Robert (Eden) Sotak and Agnes (William) Shockey, and a loving bonus Stepmom to Gabriel and Petr Sotak. Her family meant everything to her—and that love extended deeply to her sister, Janina (the late Bruno) Kowalczyk, and her treasured grandchildren, Gabriella, Monica, Miranda, Madison, Ava, and Olivia.

She was the proud aunt of Agatha, Jack, Bea (Rodney), Martha (James), Matt (Corrine), and Bruno (Kristie); and the treasured great-aunt of Kristen, Scott (Marie), John (Yesenia), Ashley (Enrique), Charles, Joshua (Bre), Sarah (Brandon), Sara, Samantha (Jimmy), Luis (Skye), (Felicia (Jacob), Sebastian, Sophia, Vivian, Valerie, Bruno, Jr., Anthony, and Damien. Her love reached even further as a great-great-aunt to Enrique, Jr., Isabella, Logan, Audrey, Phoebe, Anabelle, Derek, Scottie Jr., Keegan, Nova, Evelyn, Mason, Elaina, Elijah, and Elias.

Maria lived her life with her hands in the soil and her heart in heaven. She loved gardening, often found picking fresh fruits and pouring love into her garden. Her home—lovingly cared for and personally repaired for over 40 years—was filled with warmth, love, and the mouthwatering scent of her cooking. Her culinary gift was a true expression of love. Her soups comforted, her pierogi were perfection, her pickled vegetables were unmatched, and her kolackis, cheesecake, and apple cake were sweet slices of heaven. Family recipes passed down will forever carry her memory.

Maria was a woman of faith, attending Mass regularly and praying daily for the well-being of her family. She always looked her best—elegant in appearance and radiant in spirit. She was the one we all turned to, the one who made everything better with a meal, a prayer, or a simple act of kindness. Her strength was quiet, steady, and endless.

Maria’s love was especially nurturing to those she helped raise. From a young child, Maria was like a mother to Martha—offering the care, guidance, and love of a second mom. To John, Ashley, Joshua, Sarah, Luis, Felicia, and Sebastian, she was more than a great-aunt—she was a grandmother in every sense of the word, showering them with affection, wisdom, and unwavering support.

She was the heart and soul of our large family, a true matriarch whose legacy will live on in the lives of every child, grandchild, niece, nephew, and friend she helped shape.

We will forever miss her warm smile, kind heart, and homemade meals—but above all, we will cherish the way she made each of us feel truly loved. Kocham cię.

She was our blessing. Our prayer warrior. Our home. And now, she rests in eternal peace

Friends and family can attend a visitation for Maria on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road, Highland, IN 46322. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 am Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Carmelite Shrine Catholic Church, 1628 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.KuiperFH.com for the Sotak family.