Ward Votava Jr., 72, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away suddenly on Friday, December 6, 2019 at his residence.

The memorial service to celebrate Ward's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military honors will be provided by the Ekelund-Holmstrom American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Minnesota Marine Corps Honor Guard.

Ward Joseph Votava was born November 30, 1947 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Ward Joseph and Celaine Seneva (Prestegaard) Votava. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. He attended school in Thief River Falls graduating from Lincoln High School with the class of 1966.

Following high school, Ward entered into service in Minneapolis, MN with the United States Marine Corps on May 9, 1967 and attended Boot Camp at San Diego, CA. He was stationed in San Diego and Hawaii. Following his Honorable Discharge on March 3, 1971, Ward spent the next four years in the Marine Corps Reserve Forces in Kansas City, MO. Ward attended college in Thief River Falls for a short time studying Forestry.

In 1973, Ward met the love of his life, Sharon Albin in Thief River Falls. On June 29, 1974 the couple were married at Bethel Lutheran Church in Stafford Township, Roseau County, MN. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and to this union three lovely daughters were born, Allison, Julie and Stephanie.

Ward worked as an apprentice for four years on the Soo Line Railroad and then became a Machinist. In 1997 he began working as a Machinist at Independent Locomotive Service and retired in 2010 after almost 30 years of service.

He enjoyed everything outdoors, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and watching nature. Traveling was very important to Ward; he would plan vacations with his family throughout much of the United States always camping with either the pick-up camper or motorhome. They went to Lake Of The Woods and many other lakes in Minnesota and Canada on fishing trips. Ward learned his love of nature from spending time with his father. Throughout their lives they enjoyed many good camping and fishing trips together. This love for the outdoors was also passed down to his children and grandchildren.

Ward was blessed with a good sense of humor, and loving wife, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchild.

He was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Sharon of Thief River Falls; daughters, Allison (Vincent Rushman) True of Thief River Falls, Julie (Darrel) Peterson of Middle River, MN and Stephanie Votava of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Kristi True, Thomas (Kia) True, Zoey Rushman, Dallas & Jayden Peterson; great-grandson, Drakeson True; siblings, Josephine (Larry Jorgenson) McAdam, Mesa, AZ, Eugene (Carol) Votava, East Grand Forks, MN, Rosemary Kline, Rochester, MN, Timothy Votava, Coon Rapids, MN; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Celestine (Richard) Naylor and Valda Jorgenson; brother, Vincent Votava; brother-in-law, Robert Kline.