A gracious, gentle, and humble woman, there wasn’t anyone who met Shirley Schneider and was not left unchanged. She effortlessly put the needs of others ahead of her own, and she was a firm believer in the notion that everything happens for a reason – even when the way before her was anything but easy. Shirley’s love for her family was unmatched, and it was when she was surrounded be her loved ones that she found true happiness. Taken from her loved ones too soon, she will be deeply missed while the memories she leaves behind are forever cherished by many.
The national picture during the 1950s was a colorful one. Civil rights came front and center when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, and as the decade was drawing to a close the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union was underway. The cultural fabric was forever changed in America with our introduction to Elvis Presley and his rock ‘n roll music while Barbie dolls, slot cars, and tinker toys entertained our nation’s youth. Nestled within this vibrant time was the year 1957, which was a year to remember in the lives of a young couple from New Prague, Minnesota, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby girl on October 21st. Shirley was one of eight children born to her parents, George W. and Irene A. (Moravec) Shimota, and she was raised on the family farm near New Market alongside her siblings, Marlene, Ann, Theresa, Irene, Bob, Tom, and Susan Christine, who died during infancy. Times were tight in the Shimota family, and everyone was expected to help out. They primarily stayed close to home and kept busy making their own entertainment. Like older sisters so often do, Shirley was known to test out her ideas on her younger sister, Irene.
Even as a young girl Shirley was a bustle of activity. While in elementary school she attempted her first ear piercing on Irene using an ice cube and sewing machine needle. Irene almost passed out, but Shirley was quick to inform her that she needed to stay alert, because mom would kill them both if she found out! Of course once mom found out about their little escapade she was just a bit unhappy. Being raised on the farm instilled within Shirley the value of hard work as she shared in the farm chores including things like driving the tractor, haying, and shingling. On Saturdays Shirley put up both her mother’s hair and her sisters’ hair in rollers so that they went into church on Sunday morning looking their best. After attending New Prague High School, Shirley went on to Ritter Beauty College.
Life was forever changed for Shirley when she met the young man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Neil Schneider. They met at a dance in the Park Ballroom on New Year’s Eve in the mid-seventies. It was certainly a memorable night as Neil took her home on that cold evening only to have the fuel pump on his 1970 Buick GrandSport freeze at Cervenka’s corner. This left the stranded couple having to catch a ride home. A dating relationship followed, and the sweethearts were married on May 21, 1977, in Veseli. It seems only fitting that their wedding day had a bit of excitement as a funnel cloud passed overhead as they entered their reception! The newlyweds settled in New Prague.
Both Shirley and Neil were overjoyed to welcome two children into their hearts and home, Jesse and Lindsay. Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Shirley as she was patient, kind, and nurturing. She worked hard to make sure that her children experienced the things she was not able to when she was growing up as they took part in various sports and activities. Shirley’s children quickly figured out that she was a bit of a softie. When they wanted something they would seek out their father first, and if he said “no” they went right to their mother. If Shirley wasn’t on board with their request at first, Jesse and Lindsay would keep working on her until she was persuaded.
With her education behind her, Shirley was poised for success in an industry she loved. She spent 37 years working as a hair stylist in New Prague. Most recently Shirley was the owner and operator of Artistic Edge Hair and Day Spa. She took great pride in her work and in her shop, and several of her clients became longtime friends. When needing to try something new at work, Shirley usually called her sister, Irene, and asked her to be her model for things like permanent eye makeup.
Shirley knew what it meant to truly live, making the most of the life she had. She loved her time at their cabin on Lake Shamineau with Neil, especially going out for pontoon rides. Shirley enjoyed going to movies and plays, and her favorite movie was Coming Home. From the time her children were young she loved watching Hallmark movies on television, which meant that when Lindsay took a nap she could stay up late to see the movie all the way to the end. Traveling was something that Shirley enjoyed, and together the family took a memorable family cruise to Aruba, St. Thomas, and Tortola in early 2000. She also took several mother/daughter and girls trips and cruises. At home Shirley often kept busy gardening and tending to her flowers as well as canning. It was the addition of her first grandchild Thomas that brought great joy to her life. He helped bring laughter to her life even on the toughest of days.
Daily life became more difficult for Shirley and her loved ones earlier this year when she was diagnosed with ALS on February 4th. After learning of this diagnosis she took her whole family on a Southern Caribbean cruise. Though the disease progressed rapidly, she remained positive and carried herself with grace until the very end. Shirley never felt sorry for herself and only accepted the amount of help that she truly needed. She also did what she could to raise awareness for the disease hoping that one day a cure will be found. In 6 weeks she and her team “Squirrelly Shirley’s Nutty Fans” raised over $10,000 for the ALS Walk. They were the top fund-raising team.
With a smile forever on her lips, Shirley was a true blessing in the lives of those around her. She was a people-pleaser who would help others in ways both great and small at the drop of a hat, and her quiet strength is an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Shirley will be deeply missed.
Shirley A. Schneider, of New Prague, died Monday, September 2, 2013. Shirley’s family includes her husband, Neil of New Prague; son, Jesse (Katie Hoffman) of New Prague; daughter, Lindsay (Tom) Gantert of Denver, CO; grandson, Thomas Gantert; father, George Shimota of New Prague; siblings, Ann Shimota of Lakeville, Theresa (Joe) Pemrick of Faribault, Irene (Larry) Jindra of Montgomery, Bob Shimota of New Prague, Tom Shimota of Portland, OR; mother-in-law Adeline Schneider of New Prague. She is preceded in death by her mother, Irene Shimota; sisters, Susan Christine Shimota and Marlene Shimota Frank. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, September 6, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Kevin Clinton officiating. Visitation will occur Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. and Friday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at Bruzek Funeral Home. Serving as Pallbearers will be Tyler Hoff, Curt Pemrick, Jim Gerold, Bill Schneider, Nick Meger, Matt Schneider, Andrew Mach, & Kyle Pemrick. Lunch will follow mass at the KC Hall in New Prague. Memorials are preferred to the ALS Association.
