Obituary for Sharon Ann "Shari" Kirchner (Zilkoski)
Sharon Ann Kirchner, age 76, of Minnetonka, passed away September 11, 2021. Shari was born August 2, 1945, in Little Falls, MN to Cyril and Frances (Zoren) Zilkoski. Shari was the youngest of ten children, nine of which were girls. She was raised on the family farm in Flensburg, MN where she attended Sacred Heart School. Several years after her father passed away, Shari and her mother, Frances, moved off the farm to Little Falls, MN where she worked at the Royal Cafe. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1963 and moved to Minneapolis, working at Honeywell, Minnesota Rubber, SuperValu and Evers Heilig. Many of Shari’s friends and roommates during this time have become her lifelong friends.
Shari met her future husband, Dave Kirchner, through a mutual relative, and they became pen pals while Dave was stationed in Virginia in the Navy. They finally met in person after writing one another for a year. Shari and Dave were united in marriage on May 28, 1966, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Shari and Dave were blessed with two daughters, Gina and Tara. In their younger years, Shari and Dave enjoyed going to dances, riding in their red GTO, and spending time with friends, where there was often a competitive game of cards and beverages. Together they traveled, camped, fished, gardened, and enjoyed spending time with one another. Shari and Dave’s love and devotion to each other has always been apparent and they have shared a love of a lifetime.
During their marriage Shari spent 26 years working at Republic and Northwest Airlines in Sales. This gave the family opportunities to travel over the years and make lasting memories. Some of Shari’s favorite destinations include Hawaii, Banff, Cayman Islands, Phoenix, Caribbean, Gatlinburg, Germany, and Austria. Shari and Dave enjoyed vacationing in the Alexandria, MN area for many years and the entire family was fortunate to enjoy a week together there this past July. We are so thankful that we were able to spend this special time together enjoying the lake, on the pontoon, fishing, great weather, having bonfires, laughing, having fish fries and lots of good food and fun.
Shari and Dave have lived a faith filled life together united in marriage for 55 years. They joined Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in 1974, where they have been active members in their parish community. Shari has been an incredibly loving, caring, involved, and selfless mom to Gina and Tara, and a wonderful role model. Shari’s four grandchildren, Tristan, Gabe, Brady and Morgan have been her pride and joy! She loved making their favorite foods for birthdays and delicious goodies. The whole family has enjoyed Shari’s amazing cooking over the years and her soups and baked goods were favorites. Shari did everything with love and her smile could always light up a room. She will be greatly missed and will remain in our hearts forever.
Shari is survived by her loving husband, Dave Kirchner, daughters Gina Shaughnessy and Tara (Clay) Kamann, Grandchildren Tristan Shaughnessy, Gabe Kamann, Brady Kamann and Morgan Kamann, sisters Betty Gibson and Joan (Eddie) Zilka, sister in laws Marcy Zilkoski Marge (Kirchner) Schlichting, Agnes Plumhoff, Dolores Spaeth, Viola (Steve) Moorhouse, Rose (Rod) Forbes; brother-in-law Jerry (Jonelle) Kirchner and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Shari was preceded in death by many loved ones, including parents Cyril and Frances Zilkoski; siblings Violet (Stanley) Schneider, Lorraine (Lawrence) Miller, Laverne (Al) Schneider, Bernie (Dick Lyon) (Ernie) Gruber, Carol (Claude)Theis, John Zilkoski & Alyce (Clifford) Muncy; brother-in-laws Charles Gibson, Phil Kirchner, Wendell Plumhoff and Gilbert Spaeth; and father and mother-in-law Philip and Irene Kirchner,
Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 13505 Excelsior Blvd. Minnetonka, with visitation starting at 10 AM at CHURCH.
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970
Shari met her future husband, Dave Kirchner, through a mutual relative, and they became pen pals while Dave was stationed in Virginia in the Navy. They finally met in person after writing one another for a year. Shari and Dave were united in marriage on May 28, 1966, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Shari and Dave were blessed with two daughters, Gina and Tara. In their younger years, Shari and Dave enjoyed going to dances, riding in their red GTO, and spending time with friends, where there was often a competitive game of cards and beverages. Together they traveled, camped, fished, gardened, and enjoyed spending time with one another. Shari and Dave’s love and devotion to each other has always been apparent and they have shared a love of a lifetime.
During their marriage Shari spent 26 years working at Republic and Northwest Airlines in Sales. This gave the family opportunities to travel over the years and make lasting memories. Some of Shari’s favorite destinations include Hawaii, Banff, Cayman Islands, Phoenix, Caribbean, Gatlinburg, Germany, and Austria. Shari and Dave enjoyed vacationing in the Alexandria, MN area for many years and the entire family was fortunate to enjoy a week together there this past July. We are so thankful that we were able to spend this special time together enjoying the lake, on the pontoon, fishing, great weather, having bonfires, laughing, having fish fries and lots of good food and fun.
Shari and Dave have lived a faith filled life together united in marriage for 55 years. They joined Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in 1974, where they have been active members in their parish community. Shari has been an incredibly loving, caring, involved, and selfless mom to Gina and Tara, and a wonderful role model. Shari’s four grandchildren, Tristan, Gabe, Brady and Morgan have been her pride and joy! She loved making their favorite foods for birthdays and delicious goodies. The whole family has enjoyed Shari’s amazing cooking over the years and her soups and baked goods were favorites. Shari did everything with love and her smile could always light up a room. She will be greatly missed and will remain in our hearts forever.
Shari is survived by her loving husband, Dave Kirchner, daughters Gina Shaughnessy and Tara (Clay) Kamann, Grandchildren Tristan Shaughnessy, Gabe Kamann, Brady Kamann and Morgan Kamann, sisters Betty Gibson and Joan (Eddie) Zilka, sister in laws Marcy Zilkoski Marge (Kirchner) Schlichting, Agnes Plumhoff, Dolores Spaeth, Viola (Steve) Moorhouse, Rose (Rod) Forbes; brother-in-law Jerry (Jonelle) Kirchner and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Shari was preceded in death by many loved ones, including parents Cyril and Frances Zilkoski; siblings Violet (Stanley) Schneider, Lorraine (Lawrence) Miller, Laverne (Al) Schneider, Bernie (Dick Lyon) (Ernie) Gruber, Carol (Claude)Theis, John Zilkoski & Alyce (Clifford) Muncy; brother-in-laws Charles Gibson, Phil Kirchner, Wendell Plumhoff and Gilbert Spaeth; and father and mother-in-law Philip and Irene Kirchner,
Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 13505 Excelsior Blvd. Minnetonka, with visitation starting at 10 AM at CHURCH.
Huber Funeral & Cremation Services
Eden Prairie Chapel 952-949-4970