Shirley Fay (Kesler) Knoll

life story

A Well lived life, Loving mother, Grandma & GG

A Kindhearted, serious gardener and craft lover.

About Shirley

Shirley was born to Frank E. Kesler and Stella (Zufall) Kesler on June 7th, 1935 in Emmet County, Iowa.

She was the first of three children. Her sister, Sharon and brother, Steven followed. The family grew up on a farm, where she learned gardening, canning and cooking.

Shirley went to school and graduated in 1954 from Fairmont High school. On June 5th, right after graduation, she married her first husband, Lloyd Hoppe. They lived in Fairmont, MN. She and Lloyd worked at the canning factory. Her three children were born in Fairmont; Frank, Randy and Kevin.

On Sept 23, 1963 Shirley and Lloyd divorced. She met Robert Knoll (also of Fairmont) . Shirley moved to St. Paul, MN and married him in 1967.

She worked several jobs, as well as being a busy mom. She was a Den mother for the boy scouts when the boys were little.

She really enjoyed camping, the family went to Bass Lake for many summers with her 3 boys and also bringing along Roberts 5 children that would visit during the summer each year. Many friends, neighbors and family have fond memories of these adventures. Some memorable family vacations were to the Worlds Fair on the west coast, Massachusetts to visit her sister & learning to fish in the ocean and also going to Banff National park.

Shirley and Robert stayed in St. Paul until 1978, they then moved to Blaine, MN so Robert had more space for his business. They remained there until Robert's death in 2001. After his passing, she moved to Coon Rapids. She enjoyed living there with her son Frank, until her passing.

Her love of flowers was amazing. There was never an empty flower pot at home, these also included fake flowers when she could no longer manage a garden. Pots with a wide assortment of colors and patterns surrounded the townhouse with an occasional vegetable plant here or there. Always a cheerful smile on her face, she truly loved the outdoors.

Shirley was a very active member of the New Brighton Eagles club, from 2004 to 2021 as well as being a President for a term.

When she couldn't be outside, Shirley would do crafts. Her favorite was crocheting. For many years she made an incredible amount of hats, mittens, scarves for the Mary Ann Young Center in Blaine, MN and Camila Rose residents. Her afghans were beautiful to behold if you were lucky to receive one.

Shirley was diagnosed with colon cancer in January 2021. She spent her last days at Camila Rose Care Center.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Frank & Stella, Aunts; Helen (Kesler) Eby and Velma (Kesler) Palm and her husband Robert M. Knoll and (ex) Lloyd E. Hoppe.

She is survived by; sister Sharon Kesler (Diekmann) Johnson and brother Stephen Kesler, 3 sons; Frank Hoppe of Coon Rapids, MN, Randy Hoppe of Grasston, MN, and Kevin Hoppe of McGrath, MN, 5 stepchildren, many nieces and 1 nephew, many grand and great grandchildren.

She will be interred in Lincoln Township Cemetery, Dolliver, Iowa.

memorial service

Shirley Knoll's Celebration of life

May 20, 2021

Eagles club 563 Old Hwy 8 NW, New Brighton, MN 55112, USA

A celebration of Life will be held for the close family and friends of Shirley.

For additional information, please contact Kevin.

Kevin 763-753-9222

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services