Dennis and Virginia Shay

A Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis and Virginia Shay will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with Rev. Cletus Connors, O.S.B. and Rev. Bradley Jenniges, O.S.B. concelebrating. Interments will be in the parish cemetery with military honors for Dennis by the Albany American Legion. Visitation for the couple will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Seven Dolors Gathering Area in Albany. Christian Mothers will pray at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening. Virginia M. Shay, 81, Albany, died Friday, February 5, 2016, at home surrounded by her family after a long battle with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis complications. Dennis A. Shay, 82, Albany, died Saturday, February 6, 2016, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family after a short battle with leukemia. Virginia was born July 10, 1934, in St. Martin, MN to Edward and Mary (Mohs) Burg. Dennis was born October 3, 1933, in St. Martin, MN to Martin Sr. and Ursula (Kohorst) Shay. Dennis and Virginia were united into marriage on June 5, 1956 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Farming, MN. The couple resided in St. Cloud, MN, until they purchased their farm south of Albany in the spring of 1964. Virginia was a homemaker and in 1983 she completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program and was employed at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home as a CNA until she retired in July 1999. Virginia loved to play cards, watch game shows on TV (especially The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune), going for a drive, and out to eat. Dennis served our country in the U.S. Army branch starting in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1962. He farmed until 1989 when he sold the dairy cows. He was also employed as a custodian at St. John's University from 1988 until his retirement in May 1999. Dennis couldn't just retire and sit still so he continued to clean at Albany Central Livestock and several personal residences until November 2015. Dennis enjoyed farming with his family and going to auctions with his brothers. He was a perfectionist as he rebuilt and restored many tractors and plows over the years. They were members of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Albany, MN. Virginia was a member of the Seven Dolors Christian Women. Dennis was a member of the American Legion Post #482, Catholic United Financial, and St. Joseph's Society. Dennis and Virginia were always together enjoying their Sunday drives, dancing to Old-Time Music, and camping with family. They especially enjoyed the time they spent with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They are survived by their children: Kevin (Susan) Shay, Albany; Doris (Richard) DiNello, Waite Park; Keith (Jodi Anderson) Shay, Sartell; Denise (Glenn) O'Brien, Paynesville; Dora (Tim Neuwirth) Shay, Waite Park; Darlene (Scott) Finken, Albany; and Debbie (Joe) Kulzer, Albany. They were blessed with 14 grandchildren, Heather, Molly, Wyatt, Adam, Amber, Samantha, Thomas, Douglas, Nicholas, Dalton, Cole, Jordan, Hayden, Landen; 7 great-grandchildren; and 2 step great-grandchildren. Virginia's siblings: †Delores (Raymond) Rolfes; †Verena (†Daniel) Kuhl; †Cyril (MaryKay) Burg; Linus (Kathleen) Burg; Hilary (Julianna) Burg; Janette Burg; Diana (Richard) Kollmann; Jim (Lynn) Burg; Linda (Morris) Grossinger; Barbara (†Denis) Schlangen; Roger (Sherry) Burg; and Julitta (†Eldred) Gill. Dennis' siblings: †Ronald (†Irene) Shay; Joan (Bernard) Arceneau; James (Corrine) Shay; Arthur (Mary Ann) Shay; Mary (Jerry) Ostendorf; Martin Jr. (Elaine) Shay; and Alvin (Arleen) Shay. They are preceded into death by two great granddaughters, two sisters, two brothers, one sister-in-law, and three brothers-in-law. Serving as casket bearers for Virginia will be Amber Harlow, Douglas Hommerding, Nicholas Hommerding, Cole Finken, Hayden Kulzer, and Landen Kulzer. Cross bearer will be Molly Hoppe. Gift bearers will be daughters, Doris, Denise, Dora, Darlene, and Debbie. Serving as casket bearers for Dennis will be Wyatt Shay, Adam Harlow, Samantha Fieler, Thomas Hommerding, Dalton Finken, and Jordan Kulzer. Cross bearer will be Heather Cruz. They were joined in marriage on 6-5-56 and they joined God on the 5th and 6th of February. Memorials are preferred in our parents' honor and directed to the family to be allocated as our parents wished.