Janice Darlene (McNurlin) Nei, age 87 of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2021 surrounded by her loving husband, Gene Nei and family members.
Jan will be remembered as a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend and will be missed by many people.
Janice (Jan) and Eugene (Gene) Nei were longtime residents of Prior Lake, and longtime parishioners of both St. Michael Catholic Church and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Jan, 87, passed away on December 16th, 2021, and Gene (Geno), 88, passed on March 19th, 2022.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lake Front Park Pavilion, 5000 Kop Parkway, Prior Lake, MN 55372, on June 21st, 2022 from 3-7 pm. Father Jim Cassidy, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, will preside over prayers at 6:00 pm. There will be a private burial for Jan and Gene at the Credit River Cemetery.
Jan was born on August 17th, 1934, and Gene on October 31st,1933. They were married on September 24th, 1955 and raised 5 children in the Prior Lake community: Pat, Lauri (Mark), Barb (Greg), Paul (Lisa) and Julie (Mike). They were blessed with eight loving grandchildren, and eight wonderful great-grandchildren. They will be missed by family and countless friends & neighbors. Jan and Gene were deeply rooted in their Catholic faith and would go to great lengths to help family, friends, and strangers in need.
Jan enjoyed gardening, antiquing, crafts/craft show displaying, vegetable canning and volunteering at St. Michael Church and St. Joan of Arc Church. She always enjoyed betting a buck on a game or two, and was a Vikings fan through and through! Geno was a teacher and coach at Prior Lake High School for 30 years and he loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, training dogs and countless other things in nature. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at his Alma Mater, Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, MN, where he was a Little All American football player and a Golden Gloves boxing champion. Both Jan and Geno had a love for Labradors, and dogs were a significant part of the family. Their dog Bodie will be attending the Celebration, and will be on the back patio.
We remember so many times family and friends would “pop-in” and to say hi and share memories of stories about Jan’s craft business, Geno’s teaching and hunting adventures, or their time together at their cabin on Upper Red Lake. Jan and Gene had a shared love of sports: from the Olympics to the Twins and Vikings, they would often be found cheering on the athletes during a game or event. Stories and laughter were a strong presence at the Nei household and all were welcomed. We invite you to attend their Celebration of Life, on June 21st, with hopes that you, too, will have your stories to share about Jan and Geno. They are forever in our hearts and memories.
Memorials may be directed to the Music Program at St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave S, Mpls, MN 55419.
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Greg Nei
We will miss you dearly Auntie Jan!
Meg & Cliff DeFor
Nei family we are sorry for your loss. Jan was a great lady and will be missed.
Lorraine Linehan
My condolences to the Nei family. Jan was always so kind and welcoming to me over the years. Her beautiful smile lit up a room. She will be missed by all.
Tom Haugh
Pat & the Nei family, sorry to hear about your Mom!! For over the last 60 years that I knew her, it was always fun to talk with her, either in person or on the phone. She had a great sense of humor, & we both would Always have to bring up something about being Irish. I’m sorry for your loss. She was a very nice Lady.
Ronnie Rahm
Gene was my football coach in high school and we keep in touch. I got to know Mrs, Nie later in life by staying in touch with them. She was a very kind and will be missed by not only family but many friends,. I am so sorry for your lost.
Deb Schmidt
So, so sad to hear of Jan’s passing. Paul & I were truly blessed to have Gene & Jan as our neighbors. So many great memories. Sending hugs & prayers to the whole family.
Becky Strupeck
My condolences to all. RIP Jan.
Shannon Wellman Kuehnl
Auntie Jan was always so kind and special to me! She always made you feel welcomed and comfortable! She had so many wonderful talents and loves her family so much and her eyes had a twinkle that I will Always remember ! May the angels surround her and comfort each of you missing her so deeply !
Much Love ~ Shannon Wellman Kuehnl
Jan Hertaus
My Prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time. May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
twylah kohout
Cherish the memories you have of Jan. Her smile is so contagious!
Mary Mattison
I am heartbroken for all of you. There are so many great memories of aunt Jan, many of them spending time with mom baking, playing phase 10, doing the scratch off’s, and of course spending time at “the office”. She was always so full of wisdom and a really great listener. Her laugh was infectious. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Wishing you all peace.
Deb (Hafermann) Sagisser
So sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. I will be praying for all of the Nei family.
Mardee Harris (Kaldahl)
Gene and family, so sorry to hear about Jan’s passing. A great lady, loving, caring and full of joy. She will be greatly missed.
Bob Kaldahl
Geno, Mary and I send Our Love and Sincere Condolences to you and Your Family, We have so many memories of growing up with You, Jan and the Family, I don’t know how many dinners and family get togethers that we all shared. You and Dad as football coaches, Mom and Jan as the teams laundry service. I can’t count the number of uniforms folded on my bed. Mom and Jan baking Christmas Cookies along with so many other memories. Jan and You were such a Blessing to Mom, Dad, Mardee and I and will always hold a special place in our hearts. God Bless You and Your Family now and Forever. All our Love and Blessings, Bob & Mary Kaldahl
Mary brierley
So sorry for the families loss. The Nei’s where some of the first people I meet when moving to prior lake . Lauri became my best friend . Jan was alway crafting and changing her house over for every Holliday. And planning family time. With mr Nei gone now it really saddens me that the family family has taking the direction Mrs Nei always takes about . And that was a united family !