Genevieve "Gen" Josephine (Petron) Shinabarger

Genevieve "Gen" Shinabarger passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the CentraCare Long Prairie Hospital.  Gen was 91 years old. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 10:30 AM at the St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie. Visitation one hour prior to the mass at the church, with a rosary being prayed at 10:15 AM. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Mary's of Mount Carmel Catholic Church of Long Prairie.

It was on September 11, 1931, that a baby girl was born In Iona Township. Genevieve Josephine Petron, the daughter of Frank and Sophie (Neubauer) Petron. Genevieve was one of nine Petron children. She attended country school until the third grade then transitioned to the catholic school, graduating high school from Browerville High in June of 1949. After high school Genevieve took a job at the Grill Café in Long Prairie, although it was not Gen’s favorite job, it was here that she met a handsome young man home on leave from the Army, named Kenneth Shinabarger.  The couple dated and moved to the big city of Minneapolis to try out the bigger city. They lived separately, Ken working at a bakery and Gen at a grocery store. The couple had a modest wedding, on November 18, 1950, at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hopkins. The couple would have three children, Thomas, LoAnn, and Randy. They lived in the metro area until 1996, when they bought a house that would become a home in Long Prairie.

Gen worked outside of the home in an office doing various tasks including marketing. When she was not working, she loved on her family, raised a bounteous garden, and volunteered at the church. She had a devout faith to her Lord and Savior. Gen had an infectious laugh and loved to joke and tease, when visiting with her she always had an update on her Minnesota Twins or Vikings, depending on the season. She was an independent woman, rarely asking for help. Her mischievous side would come out, often while playing cards, dominoes, or games. Loving every minute making memories with her family and friends. Gen held the trophy for “best mother-in-law ever! ”for being so welcoming, caring and loving.

This amazing woman took her final breath on earth Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the age of 91. She leaves behind her son, Randy Shinabarger; daughter-in-law, Virginia Shinabarger; grandchildren, Erika (Jason) Thurman, Shannon (Greg) Paduano, Rae Shinabarger, Jennifer Larsen, Alicia Bistodeau, Terry (Jeremy) Kisner, Jennifer Bengtson, and Jay Larson; many great-grandchildren; sisters: Helen (Elmer) Bruder, Lorraine Sadlo, Joan (Richard) Stach, Delores Borchert, and Rose Kortuem, nieces and nephews. Gen is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Shinabarger; parents, Frank and Sophie (Neubauer) Petron; son, Tom Shinabarger; daughter, Loann (Shinabarger) Barber; daughter-in-law, Linda Shinabarger; brothers, Frank Petron, Jim Petron; sister, Mary Ann Tepley; brothers-in-law, Roger Sadlo, Ray Borchert, and Louis Tepley; sister-in-law, Carol Petron.

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