Ward Votava, 90 died Sunday, November 12, 2006 at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN.


Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Bernards Catholic Church on Saturday, November 18, 2006 " 10:00 AM with Father Tim McGee, presiding. Burial will be in the St. Bernards Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be on Friday 5:00 until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN and on Saturday one hour prior to the service in the church.

Ward Joseph Votava was born on June 23, 1916 in Crookston, MN the son of Joseph and Celema (Hance) Votava. He was baptized in Crookston and confirmed in Thief River Falls. He attended Knox Elementary School and transferred to St. Bernards Elementary School when it was founded. Ward graduated from Lincoln High School.

On March 20, 1937 he was united in marriage to Celaine Seneva Prestegaard. Ward was a Wear Ever Pots and Pans salesman in the 1930s. Ward worked as a machinist and welder for the Soo Line Railroad from 1941, until he retired in 1976. Following retirement, Ward and Celaine enjoyed numerous RV trips and were snowbirds in Arizona for several years.

Ward enjoyed playing the violin, hunting, fishing, archery, bowling, lawn bowling, pets and nature. In his later years, he enjoyed socializing and playing slots at the Casino. He was a member of the Kiwanis.

He is survived by his children Josephine McAdam, Mesa, AZ, Eugene (Carol) Votava, East Grand Forks, MN, Rosemary (Robert) Kline, Rochester, MN, Ward (Sharon) Votava, Jr., Thief River Falls, MN, Timothy Votava, Coon Rapids, MN; son in law Larry Jorgenson, Mesa, AZ; 13 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; brother Lloyd (Mariana) Votava, Oregon; and special friend Orley Arneson, Grygla, MN.

Ward was preceded in death by his wife Celaine; son Vincent; daughters Valda Jorgenson and Celestine Naylor; grandson John McAdam; son in law Richard Naylor and brother, Virgil Votava.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST:
CANTOR:
SELECTIONS: Softly and Tenderly, Ave Maria, On Eagles Wings, Amazing Grace, Here I Am Lord, and One Bread, One Body.
PALLBEARERS: Louis Schultz, Herman Schultz, Paul Votava, Stan Dickman, Darrel Peterson, Timothy Kline