Anna Marie Zwirn

Anna Marie Zwirn, age 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2025. Preceded in death by husband, Richard; 2 brothers, Norman and Michael Johnson.

Survived by daughter, Diane Blake (Chris); foster sons, Keith Koehnen, Kenneth Koehnen; grandchildren, Josie and Benji; and many loving relatives and friends.

Anna was born on the family farm in Ashby, MN where she quickly learned the value of hard work. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and is an alumnus of Moorhead State and the Univ of MN. She taught English at South St. Paul Junior and Senior High Schools for over 30 years, impacting countless lives. She and her husband built the family cabin in Emily in 1963. She cherished her time there, spending hours every day in the summer gardening, weeding and trimming trees on the family Christmas tree farm. She also had a love of traveling and visited many countries and beaches. As a lifelong learner, she enjoyed attending the weekly lunches at AAUW in St. Paul. You knew it was going to be a good party when she brought out the accordion! Anna was a music lover who enjoyed playing the piano, organ, accordion and trombone.

Funeral service is 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Augustana Lutheran Church (1400 Robert St. S., West St. Paul). Visitation begins 1 hour prior to the start of service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to, South St. Paul Education Foundation or AAUW-St. Paul. Interment at a later date, Pine Ridge Cemetery – Emily, MN.