Lawrence A. Priebe

Lawrence A. Priebe, 80, a longtime rural Chatfield, MN area farmer died on Thursday, January 3, 2019 with family by his side, following a short illness at Mayo Clinic – Rochester – St. Marys Hospital Campus, where he had been a patient for one week.

Lawrence Albert Priebe was born on May 10, 1938 in rural Chatfield, MN to Albert and Mary (Oldenburg) Priebe.  He grew up on the family farm, attended rural school and began farming with his family.  Lawrence was married to Sharon Miller in 1957 in Chatfield.  Following their marriage, the couple lived on the Priebe Family Farm, where they farmed and raised their family.  They were later divorced.  Lawrence farmed for over 40 years before retiring from farming and moved to Rochester for a few years.  Lawrence was married to Judy Ferguson in 1975.  They were later divorced.  After retiring, Lawrence was employed as a truck and blade driver with Hrstka Construction in Stewartville.  He also was employed part-time as a blade driver with Racine Township and with Hinckley Trucking in Chatfield.  In 2005, he moved into Chatfield where he has continued to make his home.  Lawrence enjoyed hunting, avid John Deere man, going to coffee, flea markets always searching for a special item to add to a collection, watching a good western or all-time favorite Andy Griffith show and followed the Dallas Cowboys, then the Vikings.  He enjoyed time visiting with friends and loved time spent with family and following his grandkids and great grandkids school and sporting events.                 

Lawrence is survived by 1 daughter and 2 sons – David (Deb) Priebe of Chatfield; Dale (Denise) Priebe of Rochester and Diane (Mike) Vogen of Chatfield; 8 grandchildren – Dustin (Jackie) Priebe, Devyn Priebe (Isaac Crawford), Chris (Katie) Priebe, Ryan (Amanda) Priebe, Jennifer Priebe, Katelyn Priebe, Brandon Vogen(Sadie Linnihan) and Nathan Vogen (Johanna Bearson); 9 great grandchildren – Zayda, Maizee, Jameson, Everett, Aurora, Samuel, Raiden, Corbin and Finn Linnihan; sister – Darlene (Melvin) Vehrenkamp of Rochester; brother – Donald (Joyce) Priebe of Fountain,MN; sister-in-law – Rita Priebe of Rochester and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, a great granddaughter – Francesca Priebe, 1 sister and brother-in-law – LaVonne and Ed Brogan, 2 brothers and a sister-in-law – Harold Priebe and Henry and Delores Priebe and his former wife – Sharon Priebe.

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, January 7, 2019 at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.  A private family memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Monday with Rev. Nissa Peterson officiating.  Burial and a committal service will take place in the spring at Chatfield Cemetery.  Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.  Condolences and memories of Lawrence are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com.

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