Barbara Shain

Barbara Louise Shain, 61, of Pine Island, died Monday, May 12, 2025 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems - Methodist Hospital in Rochester. She was born July 8, 1963 in Minneapolis, Minn. to Frank and Margaret (Swonder) Zavadil. She graduated from Alexandria High School, class of 1981. She then went on to get an associates degree in Toxicology at Alexandria Technical and Community College. In 2017 she married William Shain at their home in Pine Island.

She worked at the Mayo for 38 years, retiring in 2020. Barb wasn't interested in sitting at home all day, so got a job at Neilson's. She was a people-person ultimately loved working at the grocery store.

Barb loved nature. She had a green thumb and enjoyed working in her garden. She grew all varieties of vegetables and flowers. She was always experimenting with new plants. She was continually amazed by the cycle of growth, life and eventual death happening everyday in her garden. It left her in awe of God's wisdom at work in His creation.

She had a beautiful smile that could brighten anyone's day. She was overwhelmingly positive and had a cheery attitude. She loved to lift other's spirits and find ways to care for others. She also loved knitting and a good IPA.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; son, Eric (Lindsey) Vavra; grandchildren, Tristan and Hazel; siblings, Peter (Kathy) Zavadil, Mary Claire Swonder, and Suzie (Norm) Tvdrik; as well as nieces and nephew; Shannon Mohawk, Barbara's goddaughter, Lindsay Schonberg, Cody Zavadil and Kelly Riepe, other family, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be 2-4 p.m., Monday, May 19, 2025 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Mahler Chapel in Pine Island. A graveside service will follow at Pine Island Cemetery. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com