Janelle Lucille Preston passed away peacefully at the University of Minnesota, Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis late Saturday evening, May 3, 2014, at the young age of 47; Janelle was surrounded by her family that she loved so much. Jannelle’s family will be having a private gathering at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home in Shakopee. Janelle will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Prior Lake.
On July 12, 1966, inAitkin, MN, William and Janet (Zak) Preston welcomed the birth of their daughter Janelle Lucille. She was the baby of the family and always trying to keep up with her sisters, Diane and Lori. The Preston family lived in a small town in Aitkin County, and Jan loved the quaint atmosphere of county living. Although she was a good kid, Jan did find herself getting into mischief a time or two. Once she was even followed home by the sheriff on her motorbike.
As Jan became a young woman, she decided to leave her roots in Aitkin County and head to the cities. Jan was blessed with her first beautiful daughter, Angela. She was the light of Jan’s life, and the two were always together. They shared that special bond that only mothers and daughters have. Jan was very happy being a mom, but her family wanted more for her. So one day her sister convinced Jan to meet her and some friends for lunch. This is where Jan met a young man by the name of Kirk Pelkey. It was always Lori’s plan to set them up. Jan and Kirk hit it off immediately, and they soon realized that they belonged together.
For their first date Jan cooked dinner for Kirk at her home. Angela was four years old and kept peeking out of her room to check out her mom’s date. Angela took to Kirk right away. Jan knew that she had found not only a loving partner for herself, but also a wonderful father for her little girl. A few years later Jan and Kirk celebrated the birth of their daughter Kate. Their family was finally complete.
As all of Jan’s family and close friends know, Jan loved shopping! She never missed an opportunity to pull over for a garage sale, attend a flea market or just spend a day at the local thrift store. She loved shopping so much that her family often referred to her as a “Shopaholic.” Another passion of Jan’s was jewelry. She has a beautiful jewelry collection and could accessorize any outfit. Jan often shared her dream of becoming a gemologist and designing jewelry herself.
Jan was a private woman who loved spending time with her family. She enjoyed staying up late and watching movies with her girls and caring for her two granddaughters, Lilly and Emily. Jan was a kind-hearted woman and was always there for her family. When she had a moment to herself she would spend it in her backyard, doing a crossword puzzle and taking in all of the nature around her.
After her health began to fail, Jan was put on the transplant list in 2007. The next few years were filled with doctor appointments, check-ups and hospital stays. Jan was a fighter, but it finally became too much.
Left to honor Jan’s life and mourn her death is her beloved family; her devoted companion of 26 years, Kirk Pelkey; daughters, Angela (Travis) and Kate; grandchildren, Lilly, Emily and her first grandson (expected in June); father, Bill Preston; sisters, Diane and Lori; nieces, Cara, Korin, Chrissy, Crystal and Barbara; other loving relatives and friends. Jan is preceded in death by her mother, Janet.
The Preston family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Shakopee.
