Janet Lee Priebe

JANET LEE (HARRIS) PRIEBE, age 84, of Waseca died peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Waseca. 

Born on January 11, 1940 in Albert Lea, MN, Janet was the daughter of Robert Byron and Ordella Adeline (Kriesel) Harris. She was confirmed in 1953 on Palm Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. On Father’s Day weekend 1953, Janet’s mother Ordella married Edgar Francis Bzoskie at St. John Lutheran Church.

Janet graduated from Waseca High School in 1958. She married Donald Melvin Priebe on October 15, 1960, at their home church in Waseca. Janet and Don were lifelong members of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Janet and Don were blessed with two children Thomas and Kristi, and one grandchild, Danielle Guse. In later years, Don and Janet were foster parents to Carl Shurson.

Janet participated in several bridge groups, extension group, mod mom’s and others in Waseca. She was an election judge for over 30 years. 

During her life, Janet was battling illnesses including cancer. Despite this, Janet was employed by Herter’s, Wahi’s, and Shell gas station in the deli. Shell named “Janet’s Deli” after her. 

She loved her family, her numerous friends, and especially her granddaughter Dani. Her hobbies included surfing the web, gaming on the computer, playing cards, cooking, and watching the Food Network. She patiently made a 7-layer Jello for many parties. 

Janet spent her summers with her eight cousins; six Kriesel cousins; the twins, Jean and Joanne (Herman) Claussen; Janice Joyce who shared the same birthday; the other set of twins, Katherine and Kathleene; and two Skalicky cousins, Judy and Lynn. 

Janet was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Don; her parents, stepfather, mother and father-in-law.

She is survived by her children, Thomas (Sharlene) Priebe and Kristi (Howard) Guse; foster son, Carl (Mary) Shurson; granddaughter, Danielle Guse; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Priebe; cousin-sisters, Janice Crowley, Katherine, Kathleen (Robert), Judy (John), Lynn; cousins Dean and Dale Kriesel, Marshall Kriesel, Doug (Pat) Kriesel, Herman Claussen; and special friend Rhonda Behsmann. 

Janet wanted her extended family and friends to know she cared for them deeply, to express her gratitude to LuAnn Guse, Monarch Meadows staff and Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center staff for all their love and support. 

Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 PM on Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service in Waseca, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca. A burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. John Lutheran Church Broadcasting fund.