Obituary for Mrs. Stella Josephine Priebe Stella Josephine Priebe, age 100, died on December 16, 2018 from natural causes. She was born in Muskegon to Stanley and Helen (Kolcz) Cwynar on October 25, 1918. Stella attended Muskegon Heights HS but left school early for job opportunities.
In her early years she worked as a house cleaner and manufactured clothes for Amazon Knitting. On April 19, 1941 she was married to Stanley Joseph Priebe. In the same year she started working for Sealed Power Corporation grinding piston rings.
In the company’s Nov. 15, 1943, monthly publication entitled Sealed Power Round-Up, her picture was placed on the front cover. This photograph symbolized the American Thanksgiving spirit as well as the strong work ethic and resolve of the local women who were performing vital jobs at home while the men were abroad fighting for freedom in WW II.
In 1948 she left the work force to start a family. Stella was a very devoted mother and always placed her family’s needs before her own. She enjoyed team bowling, watching soap operas, socializing with friends and family at parties and gatherings, long walks, downtown shopping, excursions with the Orchard View Travelers, having her hair dressed, listening to Lawrence Welk music and playing bingo.
In her later years she became a staunch, baseball fan of the Detroit Tigers. She watched every televised game during the baseball season through 2018 and always got upset at a team loss. Stella had a strong faith.
She was a parishioner at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Muskegon for over 50 years. She spent the last 10 years of her life at American House assisted living in Ypsilanti. In her mid 90s she received an award from the facility staff for giving unselfish assistance to other residents for their basic needs.
She is survived by 2 sons and 1 daughter: W. Michael Priebe (Jo-Anne) of Tacoma, Wa. , Joseph S. Priebe of Ann Arbor and Sally (Ray) Gillo of Ypsilanti. Stella leaves 7 grandchildren: Derrick (Christine) Priebe, Celia (Paul) Scott, and Camille Priebe; Jacob and Esther Priebe; Evan and Jordan Gillo.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Stanley, and 3 sisters; Helen Murphy, Mary Bickowski, Genevieve Balaskovits and 2 brothers; Frank and Walter Cwynar. The family was graciously blessed with having such a devoted, caring and loving mother and grandmother over the years. A MASS of CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held 11: 00 A.M. Friday, January 4, 2019 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 3252 Apple Ave.
, with Rev Fr. Phil Shangraw Presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to www. arborhospice.org. Arrangements by the Sytsema Chapel, 737 Apple Ave, 231-726-5210.
Share memories with the family at Stella’s online guest book at www. sytsemafh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Stella Josephine Priebe please visit our Sympathy Store.
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