Mary was born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota on the family farm.The family moved to Chester, South Dakota and then to Colman, South Dakota where Mary graduated high school.After high school Mary worked at a local electric company and attended college at South Dakota State University.Upon graduating college, Mary moved to Omaha and worked at Creighton University as the secretary to the Dean of the Law School (James A. Doyle).Mary moved with Dean Doyle when he went into corporate practice working at Mid-America Dairymen, Inc. in Omaha.
In 1959, Mary met and fell in love with Stanley and the two were married in Omaha at St. Anthony Catholic Church on November 12, 1960.Seven years later they welcomed their only son Michael J. Votek.They were joyfully married 59 years.
Mary was a wonderful cook and loved to bake.She also enjoyed reading, cleaning and, especially, loved to talk to family, friends and even strangers who instantaneously became friends as soon as she had that first conversation with them.She loved seeing family and friends in and out of state and enjoyed many, many trips to Branson and Disney World.She made friends everywhere she went and kept in touch with many of them.Mary will forever be known as "Grandma Close By" thanks to her grandchildren, Alex and Amber, who have endless love for her and will miss her greatly.
After getting to have cherished conversations with both of her grandchildren in person and conversations with many family and friends, Mary died peacefully in her sleep on January 28, 2020 with family by her side.
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