Norman Sotka

Norman Frederick Sotka passed away on December 7, 2024 at the age of 93. Norman was a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work and family values. 

He was born April 6, 1931 in Astoria, Oregon. He was raised and lived his entire life on the family cattle ranch in Eden Valley. He attended first and second grades in the one room Eden Valley school. He always thought he was smarter than his twin sister Corliss because she had to attend kindergarten and he was allowed to stay home and play in mud puddles. Grades 3 -8 were at Rosburg Grade school and he graduated from Naselle High School with the class of 1949. Upon graduation he was employed by Lower Columbia Creamery and was in charge of making powdered milk and later drove a route picking up milk cans from local dairy farms. Upon the closure of the creamery in Grays River, Norman commuted to Astoria for 34 years, working for Darigold and Mayflower Farms and paying for a section of the bridge with the daily tolls. He also enjoyed driving school bus for the Naselle School district for 15 years, especially enjoying activity runs for sports and field trips. 

When he was 19, after playing basketball at the Elochoman Grange he met Phyllis Boldt at the grange dance. They were married February 18th, 1951. They settled in Eden Valley on what became a century farm for the Sotka Family. There they raised three children while working the cattle ranch. They also enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and Mexico for vacations, and over the last 30 years were able to relax in southern California over the winters. 

Norman is survived by his wife of 73 years Phyllis, a son Darrel Sotka (Stephanie) of Eden Valley and two daughters Diane Mattson (Craig) of Naselle, Marilyn Nikolas of Battle Ground and seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin sister Corliss and brothers Edward, Marvin and David. 

A funeral service to honor Norman’s life will be held on Saturday, December 14th at noon at Valley Bible Church in Rosburg. Interment will follow at Eden Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eden Valley Cemetery, mailing address 238 Eden Valley Rd, Rosburg, WA 98643.