Jeannine Snyder Schirra

May 9, 1955 — June 5, 2023

Jeannine Schirra, age 68, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 5, 2023, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dave; father, Ed; and in-laws, Joseph and Madelyn.

She is survived by sons, Michael (Erin) and Nicholas; grandchildren, Dylan, Gavin, Reagan, and Lively; mother, Maureen; siblings, Marc (Rachel), Ruth (Keith), and Mike (Nicki); brother-in-law, Tom (Sinda); beloved dogs, Sammie and Remi; nieces; nephews; and many other extended family and friends.

Jeannine worked as a Certified Veterinary Technician for 35 years. She will always be remembered as an "animal whisperer", as she understood animals in a way that no one else could. Jeannine often received phone calls from neighbors, friends, and family seeking her advice on how to care for different animals. She was also an avid singer for The Church of St. Rita and the community choir; she was easily recognized by her angelic voice. In her free time, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, being around her dogs, and traveling (especially to the MN North Shore). She was also a proud fan of MN Vikings and Iowa Hawkeye football. She will be deeply missed by all.

Visitation 4-7 PM, Monday, June 12, 2023, at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016 and continues at 10 AM, Tuesday at church. Memorial Mass 11 AM, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at the Church of St. Rita, 8694 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN, 55016.

Memorial preferred to Our Lady of Peace Hospice or the Animal Humane Society.

The following is from Ann Bottelson Morris - May 30, 2023

Jeanne Snyder Schirra
HHS Class of 1973

Jeanne is well known to many of us. Her bright smile, quick wit, and many talents still leave me shaking my head. Her music and animals were her first big loves. She had a tender spot for animals as long as I knew her (since my first day at Taft in second grade). She became a Veterinarian’s Technician and took it very seriously. Jeanne was in music activities of all kinds in school and eventually sang professionally with a like-minded group at her church in her adult life.

In school, we remember Jeanne in band, in chorus, in Choraliers, in High School Bowl, in National Honor Society, but mostly we remember her friendship. She loves fun and laughing. She loves her family.

Jeanne married David Schirra, her brother’s roommate in college. They have two sons with wives and grandchildren. David passed away unexpectedly in his sixties. It was hard on Jeanne, but she kept moving. She had family to help her, and she was there for them.

Jeanne loves fiercely.

She is now ill and in Hospice. Many of us have been following her ordeal on caringbridge.org. Jeanne’s illness had several complications that left the doctors helpless to heal her. She is conscious and sometimes alert. She remembers everyone and everything (as always). She knows the gravity of her health and still looks forward.

I remember one night in our adult life when Jeanne called me to tell me she had seen “Beaches” and cried like a baby. She thought of us. We were always close. I then had to see the movie, and of course, I cried a river, too. I will never know which represents which of the two of us, but I know Jeanne is definitely one of my heroes.

HHS Class of 1973