Joann “Joan" Stotko, 77, was called home to the loving arms of our Savior. She passed away in body but will never pass from the memories of those who loved her. She was a woman whose love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was her greatest pride. She was a homemaker, an LPN and after an injury ended her work life she expanded her volunteer life. She found amazing purpose volunteering and serving others in her community. To know her smile, brightened many people's day. While her smile will now be a memory for all of us, keep it alive in all you do, by doing for others! She was born in Seattle Washington on February 14, 1944 where she was baptized. Joan was part of an Army family and lived all over the US and Europe. She was confirmed a Catholic in Germany, graduated from Farmington High School in New Mexico, and then her family settled in Los Alamitos in Southern California. She met and married Leonard Ellis Stotko in 1967. Joan was a homemaker and had daughters Patricia and Catherine. She lost her only son Leonard Ellis Stotko after his birth due to a heart defect. Then along came Angela and Marcie. She graduated from Cerritos Community College with her Associate Degree in Nursing – LPN. In 1981 her husband Leonard died from liver failure related to a chemical exposure as a teenager. Joan worked as an LPN in California and later in Kentucky after relocating in 1989. She found her love for volunteering in 1991 after becoming disabled. Her memberships and volunteering life included volunteering in the Girl Scouts and the PTA, SITIO clothing ministry, PTA Clothes Closet, Fairdale Lions Club, Valley Women’s Club, St Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Church Fairdale, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Catholic Church, PAC/Title 1 Jefferson County District Parent - Advisory Council, Fairdale Community Club, Fairdale Area Community Ministries, Fairdale Auburndale Business Association, Southwest Friends of the Library, Southwest Dream Team, St Vincent DePaul, Catholic Golden Age Club, AARP, the Louisville office of Aging and Disabled Citizens, KIPTA, Fairdale High School Parent Advisory Council, and the Girl Scouts Kentuckiana.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Ellis Stotko Sr; son, Leonard Ellis Stotko Jr; parents, Forby and Magdelene Stewart; and fur babies, Misty and Fluffy.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Patricia Sanchez (Sixto), Catherine Pattengale (Rick), Angela Walker (Jeff), Marcie Stotko; grandchildren, Alexander, Angelica (Nicole), Mitzi, Sara, Richard Lee III, Logan, Christina, Jeffrey, Emily Madison; great-grandchildren, Adam, Aiden, Danielle, Aliya, Colt, Lainey, and one of the way; and brother, Jim Stewart (Merry).
The Funeral Service will be Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Fairdale-McDaniel Funeral Home, 411 Fairdale Rd. 40118 at 2pm with visitation from 11am until the time of service at the funeral home.
Visit www.FairdaleMcDaniel.com to share condolences with Joan's family.
