Shirley A. Kirschbaum
Shirley Ann (Fitzgerald) Kirschbaum, age 88, of Dubuque, Iowa passed peacefully on September 27, 2023, at Harmony Nursing Home in Dubuque.
Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 1st, 2023, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road where a wake service will be at 2:45 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 2, 2023, at St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating. The burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Shirley was born on February 14th, 1935, in Fonda, Iowa to John and Catherine (Kenney) Fitzgerald. Shirley had two older brothers, Patrick and Michael and an older sister Mary Delores.
Shirley attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa where she earned her teaching degree.
On June 18th, 1960, Shirley married Robert John Kirschbaum at Our Lady of Good counsel in Fonda, Iowa
They were blessed with three children, Robert John III, Linda Marie, and Laurie Ann.
Shirley taught at St Joseph the Worker parochial school from 1978 to 2002 and was avidly involved in St Joseph the Worker church as an usher.
Shirley positively impacted many lives throughout her years of teaching. The family has crossed paths with some recently and have been touched by their fond memories of her. She enjoyed her many visits to Chicago for lengthy stays with her children and grandchildren. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed going to Wrigley Field with her family. Shirley loved to cook and share her famous chocolate chip cookies and yummy bars. In her later years, she enjoyed her Friday morning coffee group and frequent lunches with her teacher friends.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Robert Kirschbaum of Chicago, IL, Linda (Sean) Stephens of Elmhurst, IL, and Laurie (Kris) Rothleunter of Boston, MA. Grandsons Mitchell Stephens, Jack Stephens, and Brady Stephens and two granddaughters, Grace and Josie Rothleutner, her niece and nephew George and Connie Schachtner of Fonda, Iowa, and her dear friend Marilyn Mueller of Dubuque.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, John and Catherine Fitzgerald, her brothers Patrick and Michael, her sister Mary Delores, her brother-in-law Paul Schachtner and sister in law’s Doris Fitzgerald and Rose Marie Kirschbaum.
The family would like to thank Sunset Park Place and Harmony Dubuque for their excellent care and over the last few months.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to St. Joseph The Worker.
