Losing one of our own

When you work with someone for so long, they become more than an employee. They’re a friend, a confidant and someone you can always count on. Jana Pribbeno was such a person.
    The Johnson Publications family was saddened when we learned on press day last week that Jana was no longer with us.
    I remember the first week that Jana joined the Imperial Republican operation. It was during fair week in 2000. That was still back in the day when we still shot film and it had to be developed.
    She got thrown right into the fire—first learning how to develop film and then spending the better part of the day developing more than 20 rolls of film shot during the fair.
    Jana was a jack-of-all-trades. Short of running the presses, there wasn’t much Jana couldn’t do in the office.
    She worked in production at the  paper for a number of years, but she will be best remembered for her role as the ad rep for the Republican and the pride she took in that role.
    When working with her customers, it wasn’t just about selling an ad in the newspaper. It was about knowing her customer and their needs and helping them make money for their business from the advertising dollars they invested with the paper.
    This attitude of serving others didn’t stop with her customers. Jana was actively involved in the Imperial Chamber of Commerce and played a key role in starting Smokin’ on Broadway.
    She was also instrumental in bringing the traveling Vietnam Wall to Imperial to honor the veterans she held dear. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and served on the Veterans memorial committee that worked so diligently and relentlessly to bring a permanent Veterans memorial to Imperial. Her list of accomplishments is long.
    Jana was always a fighter and never let her health hold her back. Her faith guided her through her journey that ended
Wednesday, Aug. 25.
    Over the years, our Johnson Publications family has mourned the loss of parents, brothers and sisters and spouses. We mourn again for the loss of Jana.
    Jana will be laid to rest during graveside services Wednesday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery. In her honor, the Johnson Publications family will close our offices so that we may attend her sendoff. Then, we will return to work and finish putting out the paper that Jana served so well over the years.