Barbara Ann Birsa

Barbara Ann Birsa was born on May 13,1943 in Joliet, IL to Joseph and Pauline Tichy and Eugene Martin. She attended St. Thaddeus Elementary School, St. Francis Academy and then the College of St. Francis. She worked for many years at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Will County Health Department and as a med tech.

Family was what was most important to Barb.

She was a devoted wife and partner to Andrew Birsa, to whom she was married for 58 years. They filled the house Andy built for them in Shorewood in 1969 with a large, active family that featured five children (Sandy, Sue, Shelly, Andy and Nicole). As her family grew, she was in charge of logistics, getting children to and from their various athletic and musical activities, catering, keeping the large brood fed, and hosting. Often serving as the point of contact for extended family events such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Fourth of July as well as being homeroom mom, Brownie leader, Band and Athletic Booster.

In her later years she became Grandma Birsa, serving as the matriarch of the Birsa clan that features twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren (with another on the way). The joy she demonstrated when talking with or about her grandchildren or having them come to visit was evident to all. She LOVED being Grandma.

Barb had a natural curiosity about her. She loved to ask questions, maybe even more than she loved to hear the answers. Did question one also result in the answer to question number two she had queued up in her head? No matter. Ask #2 anyway!

The Birsa family under Barb’s leadership was defined by open arms. Her home was open to all: the spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends of her children and grandchildren, their friends and the friends of their friends and, on more than one occasion, members of the Northwestern football team. Barb was always quick to welcome everyone, offering them something to eat (this was VERY important) and offering them a seat at the table. Sunday usually meant a pot roast while her husband and father watched the Bears. Mostaccioli, her infamous nut cups for any family gathering or Brown’s chicken for the annual family reunion at the Wilmington Recreation Club were also on the menu.

Barb died on Tuesday, October 13 at the age of 83. While her body failed her, her mind never did and she was able to live out her life in her home. Her passing leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that will be passed down through her family for generations to come.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Pauline Tichy and Eugene Martin, her husband Andrew Birsa Sr., her daughter Sandra and her son-in-law Scott Schimanski.

She is survived by her children: Susan Swanson (Jason), Michelle Snyder (Thomas), Andrew Birsa Jr. (Molly) and Nicole Koopmann, her grandchildren: Sarah Schimanski (Amanda), Thomas Snyder (Allie), Ben Swanson (fiance Calle Uerling), Scott Schimanski, Joshua Snyder (Lexi Strain), Steven Schimanski, Natalie Simo (Dylan), Jacob Swanson, Andrew Birsa, Anthony Birsa, Alexander Koopmann and Emma Birsa, and great-grandchildren Thomas Snyder III, Jessica Schimanski and Bentlee Simo. She is also survived by her siblings Paula Imerman, Eugene Martin (Cindy) sisters in law Ellen Seeman, Dorothy Tomasino, Mary Jane Birsa and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Barbra's life will be held with visitation on Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL.

Family and friends are invited back to the funeral home Monday, October 26, 2026 for visitation on 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. before departing in procession for a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL. Cremation rites will follow in accordance and family and friends are invited for burial on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W Romeo Rd, Romeoville, IL