Joann Marie Votava

Joann M. Votava, age 88, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025 at the First Care Health Center of Park River, North Dakota.

Joann Marie Greicar was born October 20, 1936 on the family farm near Pisek, North Dakota, the daughter of the late Charles and Antionette “Nettie” (Cicha) Greicar. She attended rural country school until the eighth grade. She worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Park River and helped local farmers with potato harvest. Joann was united in marriage to Clement Votava on October 29, 1956 in Pisek, North Dakota. The couple lived on the family farm where Joann worked alongside Clement and raised their family. She was a cook at the Park River Good Samaritan Center and in August 1977, Joann and Clement became the custodians for the Park River Area Schools. In October 1977, the family moved to Park River. Clement passed away on November 5, 2000. Joann worked as a cook at First Care Health Center and continued to work as a custodian at Park River Area Schools until she was forced to retire.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Altar Society and St. Luke’s Catholic Church and Altar Society. She was a member of the Park River and Pisek American Legion Auxiliary since 1957. She was also a member of the Pisek Homemakers. Joann loved to take care of her family with love and food. She enjoyed baking, cooking, canning, sewing and watching old Western’s on TV. She was famous for her potato salad and Kolaches.

Joann is survived by her children: Karen (Wade) Mathews, Thorton, CO; Janet (Terry) McBain, Park River, ND; Susan (Stewart) Jacobson, Crary, ND; Steven Votava, Pisek, ND; 12 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren; siblings: Irene Anderson, Columbia Falls, MT; Lorraine (Joe) Trouba, Williston, ND; Evelyn (John) Wineski, Claremore, OK; Charlie (Maryann) Greicar, Bismarck, ND; Donny (Sherry) Greicar, Park River, ND; Mary Lund, Park River, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 44 years, Clement Votava, her son Gary Votava, her granddaughter, Kassandra Mathews, her brother Allen Greicar and nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Veseleyville, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Veseleyville, ND. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be at the St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery, Veseleyville, ND. Memorials are preferred to the Pregnancy Help Center, First Care Health Center or the American Diabetes Association. Joann requested that those attending her funeral wear her favorite color of Blue.