Royalton auctioneer Joe Przybilla inducted into state Hall of Fame
Tuesday, February 6th 2018
(Royalton, MN)-Joe Przybilla was inducted into the Minnesota Auctioneer Hall of Fame at the annual Auctioneers Convention held in Moorhead, MN on January 20, 2018.
With 19 family members surprising him with their presence and his auction family all around him, his story was told by another Hall of Fame member and close friend, Jerome Hanson of Hoffman, MN. This is a big event as only a select number of people know who the new member inducted into the Hall of Fame is going to be. It is a surprise for the recipient until the time when the story told by the presenter reveals who it is going to be.
Joe has been in the auction business since 1994. He went to Continental Auction School in Mankato in December of 1993. January of 1994 was his first Auctioneers Convention in Bloomington, MN. Going to that convention was a decision that was very hard to make considering that the Przybilla home had burned down on the night of January 12, 1994. Reservations had already been made and plans were to attend when this devastating event occurred. Initially it was decided to cancel those reservations and with family coaxing and encouraging us to go, the decision was made to attend after all. This was the best decision ever made. It has resulted in many life long friendships and as mentioned earlier, becoming part of this very tight knit auctioneer family. Those relationships have become very precious to us.
Joe has done many real estate, antiques & collectibles, farm, and household/estate sales over the last 24 years. His original partner was Pete Newman who took him under his wing when he came out of auction school. Joe asked Pete once why he did that and Pete replied, “You appeared as though you might be a challenge”. Once Pete retired from the auction business, Joe partnered with Dean Mitchell of Albany, MN. They formed Mitchell-Przybilla Auction Co. and have continued the legacy left by Pete Newman and Cliff Mitchell along with their sons, Alex and Paul Mitchell and Cory Przybilla.
He has also become a very popular benefit auctioneer having raised many thousands of dollars for local benefits whether it be for people who have suffered a tragic event in their lives or benefits for non-profits. He has raised over $60,000 each year for Holy Trinity School at their annual Steak and Wine dinner fundraiser held in October. He once sold a brick from the old St. Michael’s elementary school (that he recovered when the school was demolished) at a fundraiser for a family for $10,000. When the purchaser told him to sell it again, it went for another $3,500.
Joe loves people and the auction business has been a perfect fit for his personality. Honesty and integrity are what has made him successful.