Marrianne Renee (Korniak) Soplanda, 59, a lifelong resident of North Judson, Indiana, and loving & caring wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away in Valparaiso, Indiana, with loved ones nearby on October 3, 2022.
Born in Rensselaer on December 14, 1962, to Stanley and Mary (Fort) Korniak. Marrianne graduated from North Judson-San Pierre High School in 1982. In 1987 she graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Elementary Education. According to Marrianne these were the “best years of her life.”
On August 6, 1988, married Richard Soplanda in SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson, Indiana. This marriage brought two loving daughters Ashli (Soplanda) Rowe, and Rikki (Soplanda) Banczak and her two son-in-laws John Rowe and Peter Banczak and grandson, John Joseph Rowe.
Marrianne enjoyed a 30-year career in education as an elementary teacher at her alma mater North Judson-San Pierre schools, where she was also a cheerleading coach, and Grand Marshall in 2018 at the homecoming parade. She retired in 2018 having made countless friendships that she cherished beyond words and enjoyed teaching many amazing students. She loved to go to the “Library” which was held at the Wooden Nickel with staff on Fridays!
Marrianne’s most rewarding passions were being Busha (Grandma) to “JJ” John Joseph, sister to Cecelia (Korniak) Christensen, Patricia (Korniak) West, Jeanine (Korniak) Cook, and Stanley Korniak.
A lifelong gardener, Marrianne loved her annual summers of planting and harvesting her vegetables and collecting her blueberries. She was also an avid Blackhawks fan and lover of Rod Stewart, and always cared for her birds and animals.
Marrianne’s legacy was defined by her family, friends, and Catholic faith. This was her strength that got her through her 10 1/2 year battle with cancer.
Marrianne was such a loyal, loving, and humble woman and an inspiration to others. She would always say “Somebody always has it worse!”
Family members welcoming Marrianne into Heaven include her parents Stanley and Mary, sister Melanie, brother-in-law Neal Christensen, and her beloved dog, Laci!
Visitation will be held at O’Donnell Funeral Home in downtown North Judson on Friday, October 7th from 4-7p.m. with a 7 p.m. Rosary Service. A Catholic mass will be held at SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson on Saturday, October 8th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at St. Jacob’s Catholic Cemetery immediately after the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Starke County Humane Society.
Your family and friends love you and will miss you until we meet again.
