Janelle Sundby

Janelle Sundby, 63, of Stephen, MN, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in her home.

Janelle Marie was born on August 31, 1962, in Warren, MN, to Richard and Julia (Chwialkowski) Pawloski. Raised in Stephen, she graduated with the Stephen High School class of 1980, and earned her Associates degree from UMC in 1982. On October 20, 1984, she was married to Kevin Sundby, and they would raise four children together. Her children were her pride and joy and she was a stay-at-home mother for most of her working life.

Doing nothing in half-measure, Janelle threw herself into motherhood, while also remaining her own person. She was zany and silly, loving and wonderful, and marched to beat of her own drum. A phone call was never a brief chat, but a commitment to hours on the line: a snapshot was nothing less than a paparazzi shoot (blurry as it may be): a bowl of ice cream wasn't a treat but a small lesson in both pleasure and suffering (and likely lactose intolerance). She didn't let anything hold her back. Janelle put first things first- the love of her family, her friendship with her mother and sister, and the sharing of a pretty good tuna hotdish or lasagna. She made friends and kept them, spending time with her Birthday Club and maintaining friendships from college. Janelle also enjoyed getting dressed up, and whether it was to the nines, with rings and bangles galore, or for lounging, with slippers and a long-term borrowed sweat shirt, Janelle was comfortable wherever she found herself.

Over the years she volunteered at St. Stephen Catholic Church, worked as a secretary at the State School in Grafton, and assisted at the Tamarac in Stephen. Most importantly, she became a grandma. They were her treasures. She adored celebrating their birthdays with gusto, having “Gramma Days,” letting them do her makeup (!), or sneaking them treats when their parents weren't looking. Janelle brimmed with life and had a lot more to give. She leaves behind a family who loves her, friends who will miss her, and a small treasure trove of themed Monopoly board games.

May God bless her and keep her.

She is survived by her children, Kyle (Danika) Sundby, Korey (Eiley) Sundby, Josh (Alissa) Sundby, and Kaitlyn (Ben) Glogoza; eight grandchildren, Sage, Zayn, Aiden, Clara, Kohen, Sawyer, Shae, and Sutton; brother, Rod (Elizabeth) Pawloski; sister, JoNette (Scott) Corrow; and their families.

Janelle will be welcomed home by her parents, Richard and Julie Pawloski; grandson, Riley; and her grandparents, Larry & Staffie Pawloski and Peter & Pauline Chwialkowski.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in St. Stephen Catholic Church, Stephen, MN.
VISITATION: One hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: next to her mother in St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Stephen, MN