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My four wonderful children are the greatest blessing! My most successful career in my life was a "stay at home" mom-I always wanted to be a mom but never dreamed how special everyday is to be a mom!
Before being "mom",I owned a 1978 blue Pontiac TransAm which fulfilled my dream of owning a sports car(my dad even loved driving it!). It was 1979 and I thought I'd take a year off before entering college so I worked @ LaBelle's store as a Jewelry Dept. Mgr! It was @ LaBelle's that I met Dave O'Shea(class of '78). In 1984 we were married and moved to Mesa,AZ. Dave's civil engr. career with USPHS moved us to Mobridge,SD in 1986,and Minot,ND in 1993. Our four children were born in this time and Dave's career provided for me 2 be a"stay at home mom". His work kept him out of town alot-he left in 1999-we separated & our divorce was final 12-31-2001(yes-new year's eve-(he proposed18years to the day). I thought we were forever, so I really found I lost alot of me. My family was great to me & my 4 children and continue to be a big part of our lives! I chose to stay in Minot for Dave to do his part in our childrens' lives.(He remarried.)
When our children were younger,I volunteered in alot of their activities serving as Girl & Boy scout leader,Room mom,mothers club,PTA pres.,A.Soc. President @ church in S.Dakota(even chaired the cookbook project),founded a homemakers club in Minot,and volunteered in various church events.
I attempted college @Minot State. I enjoyed my job as Rel. Ed. Director at church (1997-2002)-it was great working in a Christian environment! During the time of our divorce,I found support in "Beginning Experience" group-I also shared my time as"facilitator" and "Coordinator"-it was a spiritually uplifting experience in the worst time of my life. "B.E." helped me to move forward from divorce. In 2002,I loved caring for my residents as a CNA@Trinity Nursing Home - 2004,I suffered a back injury PLUS a heart attack@work! That brought an end of my career plans as a nurse. I could still be involved in patient care but in a clinic setting as a secretary@Trinity mental health clinic until 2008. I then was a day Receptionist at JCPenney Salon in Minot-#1 in salon product sales-exceeding my goals which earned me the "ALL STAR" 2009 award! I currently continue in sales goals @JCPenney in "Women's Accesories/Lingerie Specialist".
When not working, I involve myself with my childrens' activities. As a single mom all of these years, it seems like there's always something to try to fix by myself,and enough things to get done at home that occupies most of my time. It is depressing that our children grew up without both parents in the home. My priority in life is my four children!
It is only with God,faith,prayers,my parents,my sister & family,friends, & my children that make my life complete!
Update:Oct.27,2009,my dad,Jim Votava,Jr. died unexpectedly@age 71. I know many of you remember my dad-great man! We're devastated!
Update for upcoming 40th Reunion: I am back living in Grand Forks since 2011. Me and my youngest son, Chad, were affected by the Minot, ND 2011 Flood. We were in the evacuation zone for 10 pm on June 22, 2011. The National Guard went door to door in our neighborhood @ 9 that morning telling all of us to leave immediately as the levee near us broke through. I will never forget me and Chad jumping in my car right away and looking back to see the water so close - already to the stop sign! The National Guard saved lives! Luckily, we did get a truck of some of our things out the night before across to my oldest son, Jimmy's place so we at least had that to start over! My mom and my sister, Pammy, went through the Grand Forks 1997 Flood so they were very helpful when me and Chad moved to Grand Forks! My son, Jimmy, moved from Minot to Grand Forks 3 months later. I was thrilled that he moved here then too! He got the manager job @ Boardwalk Bar & Grill in East Grand Forks, MN. My daughter, Megan, was attending UND at the time. How perfect - 3 of my 4 children here, my mom, my sister and relatives here. Chad (RR2013) attended and graduated Red River High School just like his mom and dad!
I was working @ Target in Minot at the time of the flood so I was able to transfer to Target-Grand Forks. I was warmly greeted there by fellow RR79 friend Nancy (Hanson) Holm!
August 2012, my daughter, Rachel, (who lives in Minneapolis since 2007 UND Marketing graduate) became engaged to Casey Marsh (2007 UND grad also).
They were married in Grand Forks July 2013 (love it, I have a son-in-law)! In May 2015, Rachel got Masters degree in Marketing @ University of Minnesota. She presently works for Optum in the Minneapolis area.
In 2016, I changed to job @ Altru as Registration Specialist. My daughter, Megan, graduated from UND with Communications degree. She presently is the manager @ a floral shop in Fargo, ND.
Busy 2017 - Megan moved to Fargo, ND. My son, Chad, graduated in May 2017 degree in Sports Management from University of Minnesota-Crookston. It sure is great that now all of my children graduated college.
Ever since moving back to Grand Forks, I love spending time with my mom. Her Catholic faith and love of God (+dad's too) is always an inspiration to me. Remodeling occurred at my mom's house and a few months later she moved into assisted living home and resides at Valley Senior Living now. She is as sweet as ever!
August 2017, my son, Jimmy, and his love, Katie Hughes were married in Walker, MN - (love it - a daughter-in-law!). He proposed to Katie on her birthday the year before on a trip in Florida. I met her @ Rachel & Casey's wedding (July 2013) and just knew she was the one for Jimmy.
A great day in November 2017, I became GRANDMA BECKY to Logan Marsh!
How great to see my daughter Rachel as a mommy & Casey as daddy!
In 2018, I changed jobs and kept busy with 3 of my children moves. Jimmy moved out west to the oil patch in Watford City. Chad moved to Grand Forks so he can attend UND to add Sports Communications to his degree. He works full-time @ UND and has an Internship with UND Sports. Megan moved from her apartment in Fargo. Her boyfriend Joe is in Fargo also.
I lost my daughter-in-law, +Katie this year! She died in February 2019. As a mom, we can fix all the hurts when our children are little but I know it is God's healing that will be the help for my son Jimmy without his wife, +Katie. I treasure forever her smile, adventurous spirit, and fun person.
I SURVIVED a rollover accident upon riding home on I94 after +Katie's funeral! On 3/3/2019, a sudden white out winter storm popped up. I was with my son, Chad and my daughter, Megan and I heard a wooooo & we were air born in 70 or 80 mph wind. We later learned that a 5 foot snow drift was on I94 in our path also that we couldn't see due to white out conditions. We rolled 3 times and landed on a guard rail. When Chad found his phone to call for help, next to him was +Katie's picture face up!!! Amazing. It definitely was a MIRACLE from God that all 3 of us survived such a crash! Praise be to God!!!!
I enjoyed a winter mini hike in the Badlands with my son, Jimmy. I enjoyed an Amtrak train trip to spend a week with my daughter Rachel and grandson, Logan . I was at Vikings Training Camp with my son, Chad and at Target Field to see a Twins baseball game with my daughter, Megan.
I continue to center my life around my children, grandson, and family since God has truly blessed me with them in my life!
God bless each of you and the fun memories of friends,great teachers, and all the school days! Peace and love.
