Shirley Jean (Zieba) Gann passed away peacefully at Missouri Baptist Medical Center on the morning of Sunday, December 14, 2025, after a period of declining health with loved ones by her side. She was 90 years old.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary (Mick) Zieba, and a younger brother, John David Zieba. She is also preceded in death by her husband and best friend of sixty-two years, Linn M. Gann. She is survived by children Stephen (Teresa), John, Mary (Aron) Smith, and Alex, grandchildren Caitlin (Tylor) Moore, Andrea Wilsman, Ethan Smith, and Braedon Smith, great-grandchildren Judson Wilsman and Sadie and Riley Moore, and many nephews and nieces. She was known by many titles including Homemaker, Devoted Wife, Mom, Grandma, Nana, Trusted Neighbor, and Life-Long Friend.

Born on June 29, 1935 in Desloge, Missouri, Shirley graduated from Desloge High School in 1953 and enrolled shortly thereafter in the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing from which she graduated as a Registered Nurse. She spent many years at Jewish and eventually rose through the ranks to become the Head Labor and Delivery Nurse. In the late 1970s, she transitioned to school nursing and spent the remainder of her career serving the Ritenour School District, first at Buder and Marion Elementary Schools, and then at Ritenour Middle School. During her time as a school nurse, she did far more than bandage scrapes and dispense medicine; she was a trusted confidant and advocate for the young people she served and became heavily involved in leadership of the St. Louis Suburban School Nurses' Association. She hung up her nurses' coat and retired in 1998.

Shirley married the love of her life, Linn, on August 13, 1960, and they moved to their current residence in unincorporated St. Louis County in 1962. They shared many adventures and built a wonderful life for themselves surrounded by their children, extended family, and many, many friends. Shirley was a devoted homemaker and took great pride in caring for her family. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed each summer's harvest, especially the tomatoes and cucumbers, and she kept everyone stocked with a steady supply of her home-canned dill pickles. She loved traveling with Linn in their motorhome and was the designated navigator always keeping her atlas close at hand and pouring Linn constant cups of coffee. She liked to dabble in various hobbies including crocheting and Sudoku, and she could play a mean game of Solitaire on her iPad, and you had better not ever come between her and the TV during a really good football game. Most of all, Shirley thrived on being with her family and was happiest when she was surrounded by the hugs and laughter of those she loved most.

Visitation will be the evening of Monday, December 22, from 6 to 8 PM at Collier's Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh, St. Ann, Missouri. The funeral service will be Tuesday, December 23, at 11 AM, also at Collier's Funeral Home, and she will be interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Association or the charity of your choice.

Live stream of Shirley's Funeral