Jane A. Brezina, 72

Jane A. Brezina, age 72, of New Prague, died peacefully at home from acute leukemia in the presence of her loving family on Monday, February 8, 2021.  Jane was born on June 17, 1948 in New Prague to George and Evelyn (Peterka) Vlasak.  She grew up on the family farm in Montgomery and enjoyed childhood memories with Mike and Dianne, her younger brother and sister.  She attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1966 as the class valedictorian.  Jane met the love of her life, George Brezina, early in grade school through Farmer’s Union Livestock Association meetings.  They started dating in high school, married on August 11, 1969, and have been inseparable ever since.  They welcomed daughter, Dawn, on January 27, 1970.  Jane graduated with a degree in elementary education from Mankato State University with a 4.0 GPA in 1971.  While in college, she met 3 very good friends and roommates and stayed in touch with them every year at Memorial Day get-togethers.  They welcomed son, David in 1974.  Jane was a stay-at-home mom and did some substitute teaching, but it was difficult because it was hard to find childcare.  She started full-time teaching in 1983 at the LNMV Area School in the Veseli building, teaching 1^st grade.  After 4 years, she switched to the New Market building where she taught 3^rd grade for 14 years until retiring in 2001.

 Jane was an avid gardener.  She had a huge garden which provided many years of canning vegetables, making jams and pickles, and making sauerkraut with an old antique sauerkraut cutter.  They did a lot of traveling, taking a family vacation every year which continued into their retirement.  She was very active at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, especially in the church choir until Covid 19.  Her family was her greatest joy and priority and she tried valiantly to see the arrival of her second great-grandchild, due in just a week.  Her smile, her positivity, and her kindness will be missed by so many.

 Jane is survived by her loving husband, George, of New Prague; daughter, Dawn (Bruce) DePauw of Lakeville; son, David Brezina of Apple Valley; granddaughters, Mikaela (Nicholas) Borowske & Cassandra DePauw; great-grandchild, Abram & another on the way; brother, Michael (Jan) Vlasak of Cedar Rapids, IA; sister, Dianne (Rick) France of Carrollton, TX; mother-in-law, Ellen Mae Brezina of New Prague.  She is preceded in death by her parents.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Church with Father Kevin Clinton celebrating and Father Eugene Theisen concelebrating.  Public may enter church beginning at 10:40.  Masks and social distancing are strictly enforced.  The casket will be briefly opened at 10:50 when everyone is seated for viewing from your seat.  Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org.  Burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to St. Wenceslaus School, Mayo Clinic Cancer Research or Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague Oncology Department.  bruzekfuneralhome.com