James Frank “Jim” Votava, Jr.

James Frank “Jim” Votava, Jr.

James Frank “Jim” Votava, Jr., 71, of Grand Forks, ND passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

James was born on January 4, 1938 in Grafton, ND to James Sr., and Mary (Dvorak) Votava. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1956 where he excelled in science, earning him 1st place awards in State & National Science Fairs. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND where he studied Electrical Engineering and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He joined the National Guard in 1959 which he served for 12 years. With his pride of his Czech heritage, he enjoyed old-time music and playing his accordion, which he learned to play by ear.

He was an excellent dancer and enjoyed going to dances where he met his love, Patsy. He and Patsy were married at St. John’s Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pisek, ND on May 24, 1960. They built their first home together in Grafton. Jim worked for Gambles, Grafton Electric and Peavey Elevator. In 1964, they moved to Grand Forks. He was employed at Acme Electric, Lunseth Plumbing & Heating and then worked as the maintenance manager at Holiday Inn. Jim started Votava Electric Repair and was a self-employed electrical technician for many years with service calls from several businesses in the Grand Forks area up until the time of his death. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, and also attended mass at St. Michael’s and St. Anne’s.

There was nothing more precious to Jim than his loving wife Patsy & their family! He was a prayerful man, forever devoting his life to his Catholic Faith. His faith and his family were above all things. Jim was known as a loving and giving person with concern and compassion for people. He would always give of his time to help anyone or lend a hand as well as doing many things for others for various organizations. He celebrated his faith with others at church as past president of St. Mary’s Parish Council & School Board, CCD teacher, member of Christian Life Prayer Group and volunteering his time and talent. He loved listening to his favorite radio station EWTN Catholic Radio AM 1370KVTL and loved to share the good news to encourage more listeners.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Patsy, daughters: Rebecca O’Shea, Minot, ND, Pamela (Bill) Olmstead, Grand Forks, ND, former son-in-law: Dave O’Shea, Minot, ND, grandchildren: Heidi (Tyson) Anderson, Grand Forks, ND, Rachel O’Shea, Minneapolis, MN, James O’Shea, Minot, ND, Billie Olmstead, Minto, ND and her fiancé Jake Lunski, Minto, ND, Megan O’Shea, Grand Forks, ND & Chad O’Shea, Minot, ND; great-grandchildren: Devon James & Brooklyn Rose Anderson, Grand Forks, ND, mother: Mary Votava, Grand Forks, ND, siblings: Cyril (Mary Ann) Votava, Grand Forks, ND, Donald (Darlyne) Votava, Warren, MN, Richard (Marian) Votava, Kent, WA, Henry (Jan) Votava, New York, NY, Mary Ann (Bernie) Ring, Rochester, MN, David (Helen) Votava, Mesa, AZ, and Loretta Votava, Moorhead, MN; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents, father James Votava, Sr., and infant sister.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m., Monday, November 2, 2009 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service and 4:30 p.m. rosary service in the Gregory J. Norman Funeral Chapel. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.

Military Honors: Members of the American Legion Post 157, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 of East Grand Forks, MN and the North Dakota National Guard.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com

Gregory J. Norman-Norman Funeral Home, So. Washington St., Grand Forks, ND.

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