Suzanne Jean Pribula passed away unexpectedly on July 24, 2025. She was born on Jan. 14, 1957. She was 68 years old.
Sue was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and spent her childhood and early adult years on the city’s North Side. She attended St. Austin’s Catholic School for elementary and junior high and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1975. At the young age of five, Sue experienced the profound loss of her father. Raised by her devoted single mother, Sue developed a deep sense of compassion, resilience, and generosity that would define her throughout her life. Her early experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to helping others through volunteer work and charitable acts, as well as her strong work ethic and dedication in her professional life.
During her years in Minneapolis, Sue worked as a seamstress at Simm’s Draperies, a job she took great pride in and truly enjoyed.
In 1988, Sue moved to Siren, Wisconsin, and later settled in Frederic, Wisconsin, in 1996. That same year, she began working in the press room at the Inter-County Leader, where she dedicated herself for 29 years, remaining a loyal and hardworking member of the team until her passing. Sue truly cherished the simplicity and warmth of small-town life, finding happiness in the quiet moments and close-knit community that surrounded her.
Sue had a lifelong passion for gardening and took great joy in growing her own vegetables. Over the years, her gardens ranged from small backyard plots filled with green beans, peppers, carrots and tomatoes to expansive fields of sweet corn that she sold at harvest time from the back of her truck to both locals and tourists passing through Siren. She especially enjoyed cultivating plants that grew on the vine and took pride in her thriving squash and giant pumpkins. Her towering sunflowers, which stood as cheerful sentinels over her gardens, were among her favorite accomplishments and a testament to her green thumb.
Sue had a deep love for music, dancing and spending time near the lakes of Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she found peace and joy in nature. Of all the roles she held in life, her favorite was being a grandmother. In her later years, she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and felt especially blessed to share special time with her youngest granddaughter in the days leading up to her passing.
In November of 1978, Sue married Kenneth Pribula (later divorced), and together they had three children. In 1987, she began another long-term relationship (Charles Kurkowski) and welcomed her fourth and youngest child in 1989.
Suzanne Jean Pribula is survived by her children, Christina Pribula (David Farr), Jennifer Pribula (Philip Stiller), Brady Pribula (Callie) and Patrick Kurkowski (Sarah).
Sue is survived by her sister, Cheryl Whitman; and her brother, Larry Whitman. She leaves behind six beloved grandchildren: Kaleigha, Effie, Kamryn, Koen, Brennen and Melody, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by her dear companion, Kirk Johnson, whose presence brought her comfort and companionship in her later years. She is also survived by several cousins and nieces and nephews that she loved so much.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Stanley and Corinne Whitman (Clarke); and her sister, Kathy Whitman.
A memorial service followed by a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Aug. 8, in Frederic, Wisconsin. The Memorial Service will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Carlson-Rowe Funeral home in Frederic, with a program beginning at 4:15 p.m., concluding at 5:00 p.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at 5:15 p.m. at The Barrel House in Frederic, with a meal provided by the family. The family invites and encourages all who knew and loved Sue to attend.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at rowefh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475, and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, nwwicremationcenter.com.
