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Frank Jerry Sotosek passed away on December 14, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and stories that will echo through his family for generations. Born on June 6, 1934, in Franklin, Kansas, to Frank and Mary (Zorc) Sotosek, Frank spent his early years in Chicago, where he developed the curiosity, work ethic, and humor that would define him throughout his life. He attended McCormick Elementary and Farragut High School before continuing his education at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. He later graduated from Ripon College in Wisconsin with a degree in Economics. Soon after, Frank was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served proudly in the Dental Corps.
Frank began his career with Phillips Petroleum in Kansas City, Kansas. He worked in the credit card department as the manager of special billing and moved to Bartlesville, OK in 1970. He had a long and respected career as a computer analyst. He worked for Phillips for 35 years until his retirement in 1997.
On February 11, 1961, Frank married Florene Bileck, the woman who would become his partner in every sense—his confidante, his dance partner, his travel companion, and the love of his life for 64 years. Together they raised three daughters—Mary May, Cindi Trotter, and Diane Miller— who grew up knowing their father as a man who could fix anything and often said, “if you take care of your tools your tools will take care of you.”
Frank had a craftsman’s hands and an artist’s heart. He loved woodworking and working on cars. Music was woven into his life from an early age. He played the clarinet and alto sax in high school and college, and he could make an accordion sing. Frank and Florene were parishioners of St. James Catholic Church for more than 55 years.
Frank and Florene were happiest on the dance floor. They were members of the Heel Poppers Square Dancing Club, and they traveled across the country to polka festivals and even danced their way through Europe—especially Slovenia, where Frank felt a deep connection to his heritage. Their shared love of music and movement created some of their most cherished memories.
Frank was also a loyal Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan, never wavering in his support no matter the season. And he was a storyteller—one who believed that a good story deserved to be told more than once. His family will forever smile at the memory of hearing those stories “over and over and over again,” each retelling filled with the same enthusiasm as the first. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his mother- and father-in-law, cousins, and his brother and sister-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Florene; his daughters Mari (Steve) May of St. Louis, Mo, Cindi (Brook) Trotter of Bartlesville, and Diane (Kevin) Miller of Overland Park, KS; and his seven grandchildren: Lauren (Derek) Doak, Landon Trotter, Taylor (Hannah) May, Kelli Trotter, Caden Miller, Finley Miller, and Ashtin Miller. He also leaves behind two great- grandchildren, Sloane Doak and Brady May; his cousins Joe and Bill Rezin and Nancy Jones; and his nieces Kathi (Larry) Parks, Teri (Jerry) Long, and Patti (Steve) Schons.
Frank lived a life full of warmth, humor, and heart. He loved deeply, worked honesty, and celebrated every moment he could—often with a dance, a song, or a familiar toast.
One of his favorite sayings was na zdravje—“cheers.” And today, with full hearts, we raise a glass to him.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Inclusion Connection in support of Ashtin Miller. https://ickc.org/campaigns/ryan-and-ashtin/
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