Shirley A. Chojnacki (nee Knoll) – passed away July 15, 2024, with her family by her side. Was preceded in death by her husband Chester.  Beloved friend and Mother of Cris (“pirate”) Chojnacki and Karen (and Wayne) Flynn;  BEST FRIEND and grandmother of Jessica Flynn (and fiancé Michael Ramirez) and Great Grandmother of  Alduin Flynn-Ramirez; grandmother to Nick Flynn (and his daughter Makayla).

Shirley came to be known by many as “DiDi”, her special nickname given to her by her “favorite” Jessica.  Her BFFGD – (Best Friend Forever Grandma DiDi) Shirley was a kind and loving person; she was full of compassion and sass. In her younger years, she loved dancing and spending time with her friends and was active in the church. She enjoyed baking and cooking; canning pickles (she made the best dill pickles), and just being with her family; going on road trips or exploring the Amish in Viroqua; spending time in Princeton and browsing the flea market; shopping at the farmers market or even stopping at a local winery. She enjoyed going to church festivals and Friday fish fries. Shirley was a homemaker and very caring person and devoted to staying close to her family. After her husband died, she stayed busy with hobbies and spending most of her time with family. Later in life she worked part time in the design dept at Stein’s, proudly making fancy bows. And most of all, she loved being a grandma to Jessica, with whom she shared a very special and unbreakable bond. She picked Jessica up from school every day, attended her school functions and field trips and always made time to be there for anything she needed. 

She was a devout catholic who treasured her faith and prayed her rosary every day. She loved owls and angels and had a deep affinity for the Amish; and loved Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. As life brought struggles to her health, making it more difficult to get around and be active, Shirley would spend the afternoons indulging in crosswords puzzles and watching game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She enjoyed watching the Brewers and never missed a televised game. She still looked forward to a Friday fish fry, whether at home with the walleye and perch Wayne brought for her, or having Cris bring her take out from Light Palace. She also looked forward to getting her deserts and Amish treats.

“DiDi” was a source of light and joy in many peoples’ lives and will be dearly missed. Mom, we are grateful for the love and support that we could always count on from you. We thank you for being a good listener and offering advice when we asked. You will always be close at heart and we will cherish our memories and all the fun times we had, to keep us all strong. We are thankful for the  love you shared with all of us and the time you were able to spend with your great-grandson – Alduin. He will learn all about the great DiDi as he grows. You can breathe easy now, Mom, with no extra help; and rest comfortably now that Jesus has taken you home.   

As Mary Oliver said, “Maybe death isn’t darkness afterall, but so much light wrapping around us.”

 AMEN.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Shirley A Chojnacki hosted by Molthen-Bell & Son Funeral Home.