Shirley Ann Seinola, 81, Rochester, MN, former long-time resident of Cook, MN., passed away on Friday, December 28, 2018 at Seasons Hospice House, Rochester, MN.

Shirley was born to Victor and Mary (Vukelich) Zgaynor on March 27, 1937 in Cook, MN. Shirley grew up in Celina, MN., and attended school in Alango. She graduated from Alango High School in 1957. She was united in marriage to Ronald "Ron" Seinola on November 2, 1957 in Greaney, MN. Soon after graduating and her marriage to Ron, Shirley decided to pursue a health care degree, graduating from the Radiography Program at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, MN. Shirley and Ron moved back to Cook, MN where they remained living at the same residence on Johnson Road Extension for almost 60 years. They raised their family there and Shirley continued her lifelong dedication to health care service in Cook. Shirley worked at the Cook Hospital and Care Center, and at Scenic Rivers Health Services. Although formally trained as an x-ray technologist, she also learned about laboratory medicine and was instrumental in maintaining the laboratory services at the Cook Hospital. She completed her career as a medical assistant at Scenic Rivers Health Services, where she retired in 2002. In all, Shirley worked almost 40 years in healthcare in Cook, where she helped to care for so many people in the region. She simply loved her work and the people of the region!

Shirley's other passion and greatest joy was her family and spending as much time as she could with them, especially her grandchildren. She treasured her grandsons and was always doing something special for them or sending them cards and letters with special messages. When her two great granddaughters came along later in Shirley's life, Shirley was overjoyed and showered them with love. Shirley always looked forward to all her family returning home for various family events. She was a superlative cook.  Shirley especially loved to see her family at "the Camp" near Cook where they were together for so many family times and many Thanksgiving meals.  Shirley also made sure that her family would take an annual vacation together. The family would vacation to Rainy Lake in International Falls or Fenske Lake Cabins in Ely, MN. She really enjoyed those focused times with the family, and as her family tells it, she was a pretty good fisherwoman. Shirley loved spending time outdoors, and during the summer, Shirley could always be found in one of her many flower gardens with her husband Ron by her side. Sadly, her beloved husband passed away in 2017.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Victor and Mary; and her husband Ron.

Shirley is survived by her daughter Jody Seinola Dearth of Rochester, MN; son Scott (Geri) Seinola of St. Charles, MN; grandsons: Daniel Dearth of Rochester, MN; Benjamin (Rebekah) Seinola of Winona, MN; and Jared (Hannah) Seinola of St. Charles, MN; great-granddaughters June Marie Seinola and Teagan Ann Seinola; and sister Beverly (Wally) Helmbrecht of Blaine, MN.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Church. Father Nicholas Nelson will officiate. A reception in honor of Shirley will be held immediately following the service at the church. Warren Mlaker will play the Button Box in her honor. Interment will occur at St. Bridget's Cemetery, Greaney Township, MN. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Seasons Hospice-1696 Greenview Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mlakerfuneralhome