Jean L. KIRBY

1928 - 2017

Age 89, of Oak Park Heights Deeply loved wife, mother and grandmother, Jean Louise Kirby passed peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. Preceded in death by mother, Ann L. Palmer and father, Clarence T. Sandberg. Survived by her husband of 64 years, Richard (Dick); children Scott (Mary), Kimberly (Steve Belzer) and Steven (Carolyn). She is also survived by 4 grandchildren Todd, Mitchell, Jane and Kory. Jean was born in South Bend, Indiana on May 10, 1928 and graduated from Sturgis High School in Sturgis, Michigan in 1946. She attended Michigan State University where she studied fashion merchandising. Jean loved music and singing. She played oboe through college and sang throughout her lifetime in several church and community choirs. She was a talented tennis player, enjoyed golf and loved her retirement years at the cabin in Northwestern Wisconsin and Naples, Florida. Gardening and flowers gave her joy and she loved red tulips, roses and geraniums most of all. Jean enthusiastically supported all her children and grandchildren with fond memories of her home in Bloomington, MN where she was actively involved in her church and community. Jean had a special talent for making friends. She and Dick especially loved getting together with lifelong childhood friends from Sturgis, Michigan, Bloomington, Minnesota and their retirement community at Boutwells Landing. She will be missed for her laughter, her support and the joy she brought to everyone. She was a beautiful person. Our family cannot put into words the support and kindness that the Croixdale, Boutwell TCU and Long Term Care teams gave our mom. Thank you for your loving care. Service Monday, June 26, 2017, 11:30 A.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery, Sturgis, Michigan. Memorials preferred to the Medalist Fine Arts Association, Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431 or Presbyterian Homes Foundation, Attn: Boutwells Music Department, 2845 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville, MN 55113. 651-439-5511