John Votca

Mankato and the world have lost a great spirit, John A. Votca.  John, “Johnny” or “Gramps” as he was known by his family, died on December 11 at the Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center in Mankato at the age of 91.

Visitation will be on Friday, December 28, from 3 - 7 PM in the John A. Votca Conference Center at South Central College, North Mankato. A funeral Mass will be on Saturday, December 29 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato at 11 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Private burial. Memorial donations may be made to the John A. Votca Scholarship Fund, South Central College, 1920 Lee Blvd. N. Mankato, MN. 56003. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

John is predeceased by his loving first wife, Charlotte (Marschall) Votca; parents, Frank and Mamie (Adams) Votca; and his brother, Cornelius Votca. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Catlett Votca, of Phoenix, Arizona.  John is lovingly remembered by his; sister, Kathleen Willaert, of Mankato; son, Jack (Kathy), daughters Jane (Dave) and Beth (Jerry); grandchildren Mike, Carolyn (Chuck), Charlie (Maddy), and Will; step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren and loving nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends here and abroad.

John was born in Mankato, MN, September 10, 1927. He graduated from Mankato High School in 1945 and enlisted in the Navy during WWII. Using the GI Bill, he earned a BS Degree in Science and Industrial Education from the Mankato Teachers College (Minnesota State University, Mankato). He worked as a high school Science and Industrial Arts teacher in Shakopee until he was called back to Naval Service during the Korean War. He married Charlotte Marschall of Shakopee in 1953. In 1964, John received his MS degree from the University of Missouri and worked at the Mankato Vocational Technical Institute (South Central College) from 1955 - 1992 as an Assistant Director, Director and President. The John A. Votca Conference Center at the College honors his legacy.

John served on many committees and was an active member of several service clubs in his community; receiving numerous awards for his outstanding contributions. The following organizations reflect his broad commitment to community and love of service: Boy Scouts of America; Rotary Club, including District Governor of Rotary International and special interest in the Rotary International Student Exchange; St. John’s Catholic Church; Serra Club; MN State Alumni Association, Navy Reserve; and the Mankato Chamber of Commerce.

John’s greatest joy came from spending time with his family; especially his grandchildren & great-grandchildren. He was the “fun” uncle/Gramps. He had many hobbies from leatherwork, golf, jewelry making and building his own home to world travel. The love of horses that was inspired by his father, a blacksmith in Mankato, reappeared in his retirement, where he and Phyllis enjoyed raising and showing miniature horses locally and nationally. He loved the people of Mankato, which was his life-long home.