St. Cloud
JoAnne Margaret (Kuebelbeck) Parry passed away Friday, May 31, 2024 at Good Sheppard Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids with family by her side.
JoAnne was born September 11, 1949, to Louis J and Dolores M (Reber) Kuebelbeck.
She attended St. Boniface School in Cold Spring. Upon graduation from Technical School in 1968, she received her Associates Degree in Licensed Practical Nursing which moved her through several employment opportunities.
In 1974, JoAnne started working at the VA (Veteran’s Administration Medical Center) in St. Cloud as an LPN in the psychiatric unit and co-therapist for individual and family counseling. In 1977 she became a certified Chemical Dependency counselor, working in this field for 25 years. During this time, she also worked part-time LPN work for Central MN Detox, REM Health and in-home care.
From 2004 to 2006 she became caretaker for her father with Alzheimer’s until he moved into Quiet Oaks Hospice, but remained dedicated to his care and connection to family.
She had COPD and in 2019 she suffered a minor stroke which also revealed a spot on her lung, cancer. She completed chemo and radiation successfully, but continued having issues with her breathing so was moved into assisted living at Good Sheppard Lutheran Home. Due to the stroke and radiation to her brain, dementia increased and in October of last year she moved into Memory Lane. In April, hospice was added to her care.
JoAnne made many friends wherever she went and once asked the nurses why they were so nice to her, and it was because she was a very sweet lady, they told her.
She enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends. Her interests were gardening, reading and crafts. One thing people may not have known about JoAnne, is that she wrote poetry.
She was a dedicated woman and took on the challenges of caring for the entire family even as a young girl. She was a wonderful ‘Nana’ and took great pride in that role. She was very close to her Irish twin Lois whom she spent most of her life with. She will be missed by many.
She leaves behind sisters Gail Koppy, Lois Coleman, Barb (Jeff) Konsor, Laurie Nixon (Scott DesMarais), Greta Abel; brothers Louie (Patti) Kuebelbeck, Steve (Pat) Kuebelbeck, Jeff (Trish) Kuebelbeck, Karl Kuebelbeck (Ruth Thomas), Bill (Karen) Kuebelbeck; many, many nieces and nephews, their spouses and their children, even their children’s children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her caring ex-husband, David Parry, and her sister Kris (Kuebelbeck) Johannes.
Special thanks to Good Shepherd Lutheran Home and their wonderful, caring staff and nurses for their hard work and dedication to the residents there.
Special thanks to CentraCare Hospice for the deep loving care and support they provide. JoAnne was able to enjoy many wonderful benefits with them and total support up until the end.
Per JoAnne’s wishes, her body was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program which supports high quality education for future health professionals and continued advancements in medical care through research.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 21st from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Clearing (The Terrace) in Sauk Rapids, MN. 195 River Ave. S., 56379.
