Leona Jane (Simon) Pribyl

LEONA JANE PRIBYL

Age 101 of Roseville, 

Leona Jane Pribyl, died peacefully February 22, 2026, two days short of her 102nd birthday, at Harmony Gardens in Maplewood, MN.

Leona Simon was born February 24, 1924, to John Simon and Elsie Prokopec Simon in Blooming Prairie, MN. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1942, and worked at a local bank until her marriage to Benjamin Pribyl, on October 18, 1944 at St Columbanus Church.

Leona and Ben lived briefly in Owatonna before buying the Newry General Store, southwest of Blooming Prairie in May, 1947. In 1957, Leona and Ben purchased the Murphy Motor Freight Lines agency in Owatonna. While raising a household of six children, Leona assisted in the office at Pribyl Transfer, was active at Sacred Heart Church, Marian-St Mary’s School, and actively assisted with the Migrant Program in the Owatonna area. Ben and Leona were divorced in 1973. Leona became the secretary to the Principal at Owatonna High School before moving to St. Paul in 1976 where she worked for the Archdiocese of St. Paul. She then became executive assistant to the Executive Director of the American Red Cross, St. Paul, where she remained until her retirement at age 65. At that time, she had been working a part-time job in the credit department of JC Penney and her part-time status became full-time as she said, "So I could keep busy." Her retirement from JC Penney occurred when she was 82 years old. In her retirement, Leona traveled, managed to crochet 18 afghans for her great-grandchildren and remained active with RosePointe Senior Living Community playing bridge, participating in book club, and socializing with other residents.

Leona was guided by her Catholic faith, and she brought resilience and grace to every challenge she faced. She was ready to “go home” to meet those that preceded her: daughter Kathy, son Stephen, granddaughter Olivia, parents John and Elsie, sister Margaret, and brother Adrian.

Leona is survived by four children James (Patricia), Louisville, CO; John (Rose), St Paul; Mary (Dennis Houdek), Mahtomedi, MN; and Jane of Minneapolis, daughter-in-law, Ann (Stephen) Pribyl and one sister, Loretta, Blooming Prairie. Surviving grandchildren: VJ Geiser, Alec Geiser, Sarah McNitt (Shawn) ; Erin Pribyl; Katie Pribyl; Kate Smith (Clay), Adam Pribyl (Jackie), Matt Pribyl, Beth Johnson (Aaron), Emily Semsch (Nate) Andy Houdek (Ashley), Brian Houdek (Mary), Alyson Castleman, Mon Grant (Tony), and 20 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 AM Fri., May 8, 2026, St Columbanus Catholic Church, Blooming Prairie, MN. Visitation will occur one hour prior to the church service. A memorial visitation will also be held at Wed., May 6, from 5-7 PM at Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN. Memorials can be sent to Harmony Gardens, 1440 County Rd C E., Maplewood, MN 55109.

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