Jean Ann Pavelka

Jean Ann Pavelka, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, friend, and neighbor, went peacefully to her heavenly home, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, after a short illness. She was born at home on the family farm in rural Lake City, Minnesota, to Fayne and Rose Zabel, on August 8, 1941. Jean graduated as valedictorian of her high school class in Wabasha, Minnesota in 1959. She went on to attend the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis and then worked at Big Joe Flour Mill in Wabasha. She married Kenny Pavelka, her husband of nearly 59 years, at St. Agnes Church in Kellogg, Minnesota, on September 1, 1962. She and Kenny farmed in rural Kellogg, and raised their 9 children there, before moving to Kellogg in 1996. Jean’s greatest joys in life were her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. Other hobbies included gardening, reading and visiting with friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and mother and father-in-law (Fritz and Rachel Pavelka). She is survived by her loving husband, Kenny, siblings Ruth Zabel, Shirley Kronebusch (Larry), Wayne Zabel (Pat), Leroy Zabel (Nancy), Jeanette Gile (Gary), and children Donnie Pavelka (Joan) of Plainview, MN, Lori Wolf (Ted) of Kellogg, MN, Dawn Rossman (Mike) of Byron, MN, Jacki Kennedy (Jim) of Austin, MN, Kevin Pavelka (Clare) of Lake City, MN, Darrell Pavelka (Bernard Harrison) of Minneapolis, MN, Jeri Edel (Scott) of Forest City, IA, Tony Pavelka (Anh-Thu) of Shakopee, MN, and Mark Pavelka (Deanna) of Wabasha, MN.
Jean is also survived by the following grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Michael Pavelka & Suzie Lutz & daughters Madi & Lainie, Nicole & Eric Hart & daughter Lily, Stephanie Pavelka & Taylor Bublitz, Valerie Wolf & Anna Brady & children Emmett & Sawyer, Andrea & Derik Tradup & sons
Wyatt & Blake, Ben Wolf, Bryon & Sarah Pavelka & son Peyton Wentz, Daniel Rossman, Kasandra Kennedy & children Lexi & Luke, Morgan & Milo Pavelka, Caleb, Ayla & Emily Pavelka, Josie & Jasa Edel, My-Linh, Hailey & Makenzie Pavelka, and Garret & Eve Pavelka.
She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her and is wished Godspeed on her journey.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
A public visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 12, 2021, at Abbott Funeral Home, Wabasha. Following CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing is expected.
A private funeral Mass will be held.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy and remembrance can be given at www.abbottfh.com