Edward "Ed" Shea

Edward “Ed” Shea, 87, of Cottage Grove, MN passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2026 surrounded by his family.

Edward Florian Shea was born on October 17, 1938 in East Chicago, IN to Edward and Cecilia (Derbort) Shea.

Ed grew up in Fargo, ND, the oldest of three children. Ed spent his childhood summers at the family cabin on Upper Cormorant Lake, which instilled in him a great love for nature, boats, and cabin life. Ed graduated from North Dakota State University and completed his military service in White Sands, NM. He worked his entire career for the MN Department of Transportation, retiring in 2001.

Ed met his beautiful bride and the love of his life, Jane Eck, at Saint Bernard’s Church in Saint Paul, MN. They were married in 1967 and spent most of their married life in Cottage Grove, MN, where they raised their five daughters.

A lifelong Catholic, Ed was a man of deep faith, devoted to Mass, prayer, and the rosary. He and Jane were active parishioners and volunteers in a variety of ministries at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Ed lived his faith in countless ways. He supported numerous charitable organizations, was a dedicated blood donor for decades, and had a great respect for the earth with a passion for recycling and conservation. He modeled generosity and gratitude. “God bless you” was something he said with sincerity and frequency up until his last days.

One of Ed’s early hobbies was building model airplanes. He loved watching planes and taught his girls how to look up at the sky and recognize which type they saw flying over them. He enjoyed biking and walking, and he loved maps. Although never a big consumer, Ed built up a large beer can collection, always excited to discover new and unique designs. He was an avid photographer, and his family is forever grateful for all the memories he captured over the years through the lens of his camera.

He enjoyed reading about trains, visiting train shows and museums, and in retirement set up model train tracks for his and his grandchildren’s enjoyment. He was a skilled ping pong player and spent many hours playing with Jane, with the girls, and in family tournaments which expanded to include sons-in-law. At the cabin, he enjoyed boating, canoeing, and absolutely loved the simple pleasures of sitting by the lake, watching sunsets, and listening to the calls of the loons.

After Ed’s retirement, he and Jane enjoyed traveling together and crossed the country on epic road trips, which he later summarized in travel “reports” filled with wit and humor. He drove tirelessly for miles, fueled by coffee, donuts, and a love of seeing new places with his favorite companion and “Supreme Navigator” by his side.

Ed was devoted to his wife and daughters. He was generous, thoughtful, kind, patient, compassionate, joyful, and funny. His infectious laugh and smile were evident in everything he did. Ed loved being a Grandpa and was affectionately known to his grandchildren as “Grampsie.” He and Jane attended countless sporting events, concerts, and other activities over the years, always lending their support and pride. Through simple gestures like clever little notes and faces drawn in snow and on dirty car windows, he made people smile everywhere he went.

Alzheimer’s took much from Ed in his later years, but even as his memory faded and his body grew weaker, his deep love for his family, his abiding faith, and his grateful nature never wavered. His family would like to thank Vivie home health and hospice for their compassionate care for Ed and for helping make it possible for him to remain at home in the presence of his beloved wife and daughters until his last breath.

Ed is survived by Jane, his wife of almost 59 years; children Marilyn (Greg) Stacey, Kathy (Terry) Zent, Susan (Rich) Kammueller, Linda (Peter Opitz) Shea, and Stephanie (Doug Schwartz) Shea; grandchildren Johnathan & Ryan Stacey, Kyleigh Zent, Erin & Lio Kammueller, Téa, Audrey & Kellen Opitz; siblings Diana (John) Shea and Mike Shea. Ed is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Cecilia Shea, son-in-law Aaron Allshouse, and grandson Aidan Zent.

Visitation will be from 4–7 pm on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Avenue, St. Paul Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at St. Thomas Aquinas with a one-hour visitation prior to the service. All are invited to a luncheon following the service. Private interment with military honors will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer’s Association and Veterans Donor Connect.

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