Sheila Paisner

Sheila Paisner, of Golden Valley, died peacefully at home on August 17, 2024 at the age of 93. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 72 years, Dr. Hy Paisner. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sheila was the daughter of Henry and Lillian Sigesmund. Sheila attended the University of Manitoba where she served as President of her sorority, and met her soulmate, Hy. They graduated in 1951, she with a Bachelor of Arts, and he with a Medical Degree. They married on August 21, 1951, in Winnipeg, then Sheila and Hy moved to Estevan, Saskatchewan, where Hy began his medical practice. Sheila shone as a doctors’ wife in the small border town, and soon became a mother to Martin in 1953, then to Barry, two years later. After eight years in Estevan, the family moved to Minneapolis where Hy trained in his specialty Otolaryngology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and they established residency, and made Minneapolis their permanent home. They soon welcomed two more sons, Joel and Richard. Sheila was a dedicated Mom, an expert balabusta (Jewish cook) in the kitchen, and an extraordinary homemaker and devoted wife. Sheila was as active and invaluable to their temple and to charities and volunteer activities, and was instrumental in founding the Mount Sinai Hospital Women’s Auxiliary with her friend Dolores Sigel. Sheila served on the Board of the Guthrie Theatre and was devoted to the JewishFederation of Greater Minneapolis. She raised money for Jewish communities locally, nationally, and internationally, including as a Board member of the National Women’s Division for the United Jewish Appeal where Sheila helped set the agenda for the organization’s work in Israel. She made numerous trips to Israel, meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, and speaking at major conferences around the country. As a strong champion of Jewish causes, Paisner was recruited by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation to be their first woman Campaign Chair, and she led the Federation’s entire annual fundraising campaign, to raise more than $10 million, exceeding their goal. Sheila loved serving her community, but her greatest passion was being Dr. Hy Paisner’s wife, and the mother of their four sons. As her sons married, Sheila welcomed her daughters-in-law, and cultivated lifelong relationships with them. Her nine grandchildren held a special place in Sheila’s heart. When her four great-grandchildren arrived, she instructed their parents that she would now be known as GG instead of Grammy. Sheila is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Martin & Judy of Chicago, Barry & Charleen of Santa Fe, Joel & Liz of Seattle, and Richard & Jamie of Golden Valley; plus her nine grandchildren and their spouses; as well as four great-grandchildren, Jacques, Sage & Scarlett (Alita & Amélie), Raoul & Jena, Micah & Maggie, Liesette & Alex (Niko & Isabelle), Natalie & Tom, Noah & Monique, Jasper, and Sascha. Survivors also include nephew, Bradley Sigesmund & Jack (Lucas); a niece, Lainie Sigesmund Etzioni (Maya & Max); and extended family members, Mark & Wendy Bloom, Stuart & Carolyn Bloom, Naomi Bloom; as well as ten grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to her late husband, Sheila is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Lillian Sigesmund of Winnipeg; brother, Arnold Sigesmund of Los Angeles; sister-in-law, Anne Katz of Winnipeg; and cousins, Dr. Dave & Arline Bloom of St. Louis Park. The Paisner family extends their sincere gratitude to Sheila’s caregiver, Carrie Williams. The family requests donations made in memory of Sheila Paisner be directed to the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota & the Dakotas, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Funeral service 10:00 am, FRIDAY, August 23, 2024, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave. S.,bMinneapolis. Also available via Zoom at: www.hodroffs.com/SheilaPaisner SHIVA Saturday, 6 pm, at Temple Israel.