John Joseph Woitas, age 79, of Minnesota Lake, died at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Minnesota Lake. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with a Rosary Service at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Mark McNea will officiate and burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Minnesota Lake.

Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.

John was born May 15, 1931, in Danville Twp., Faribault County, the son of Watzef and Regina (Evan) Woitas. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea. On Nov. 19, 1958, he married Catherine D. Troska at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells.

John was a lifelong farmer until his retirement in 1999. He loved gardening, fishing, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

John is survived by his wife, Catherine “Katie,” of Minnesota Lake; a son: Mark (Mary) Woitas of Minnesota Lake; two daughters: Sharon (Joel) More of Montgomery, Lori (Rick ) Wooten of New Prague; son-in-law, Ben Robling of Jordan; 10 grandchildren: Tiffany, Royce and Rita Woitas, Brian (Brittany) More, Samantha and Blake Wooten, Kyle and Courtney Traynor, Katie and Willie Robling; a sister: RoseMary Leesch of Minnesota Lake; five brothers: Gregory (MaryAnn) Woitas of Spearfish, S.D., George (Ellie) Woitas of Minnesota Lake, Laurence (Jan) Woitas of Mankato, Michael (Ruth) Woitas of Mankato, and Raymond (Edie) Woitas of Albert Lea; along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Nancy Robling; a brother, Martin Woitas; a brother-in-law, Harlan Leesch; a sister-in-law, Marcie Woitas; and a nephew, Robert Leesch.