LaDawn Marie Priebe

LaDawn Marie (Howden) Priebe died peacefully at home on Saturday, August 17, of cancer. LaDawn was born on January 11, 1966 in New Albany to the late Richard A. and Doralas M. (Suitors) Howden. After the family moved to Crawfordsville in 1968, Montgomery County was home for the rest of her life, and she had many fond memories of childhood spent with her siblings and friends on Overcoat Road. After graduating from North Montgomery High School in 1984, she attended Eastern Kentucky University, and graduated from Indiana State University in 1990. LaDawn worked as a registered dietitian for Franciscan Health in Crawfordsville and Lafayette for over 30 years. Most recently, she worked for the Franciscan Healthy Living Center of Lafayette where she designed and co-led the Better Weigh of Life Program.

In 1990, she married Kevin Donald Priebe, and became a devoted stepmother to his two children, Adam and Ronnah. Together they had two daughters, Rebecca Lynne in 1994 and Jessica Marie in 1997. She called her daughters the greatest blessings of her life. LaDawn and Kevin operated the Priebe Pumpkin Patch for over 20 years from their farm in Garfield, growing the famous Howden pumpkins first developed by her grandfather, John A. Howden. Every fall, they welcomed the community to share in this family tradition, which included hayrides, corn mazes, and pick-your-own pumpkins. Over the years, LaDawn could be found supporting her daughters in the pool at the Sugar Creek Swim Club, attending Purdue basketball games, and traveling to concerts and the beach with her friends and family. She was a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she served as a Deacon. LaDawn showed love to those around her through her ribbing sense of humor, her easygoing, accepting nature, and her faithful devotion to her husband, children, and grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Kevin; daughters Rebecca (Easton) French of Wingate and Jessica Priebe (Ramzi Maarouf) of Noblesville; grandson Calvin French; stepchildren Adam (Hillary) Priebe of Leesburg, VA, and Ronnah (Zac) Largent of Ladoga; step-grandchildren Dylan, Blake, and Lanie Priebe, and Ella, Allison, Trevor, and Connor Largent; sister Debra (Thomas) Vaught; sister-in-law Margaret Howden; and a beloved extended family of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John E. Howden. Her family would like to thank Franciscan Hospice Care and her devoted colleagues at the Healthy Living Center for their loving care in the last few weeks.

The funeral will be on Saturday, August 24, at First Christian Church, 211 S. Walnut St., Crawfordsville. Friends and family may call from 9-12:00, with a funeral service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be directed to glioblastomafoundation.org.