Katie Lynn Schienbein

Katie Lynn Schienbein, age 37, of Alexandria, died on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, of natural causes, at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Fr. Matthew Kuhn presiding.

The visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church.

Katie was born in Brainerd on September 28, 1988 to Kelly Schienbein and Colleen (Dobrzynski) Schienbein. She was baptized at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Brainerd, and first Communion at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Monticello.

On November 16, 1988, when Katie was 7 weeks old, she developed viral myocarditis. She was flown from Brainerd to St. Paul Children's Hospital. Her heart stopped three nights in a row before she began to recover. After spending three weeks at Children's, she was brought back to St. Joseph's Medical Center to learn to eat and got to go home on Christmas Day. Doctors thought she could either completely recover or need a heart transplant someday.

Katie did very well until she was three years old and developed two new heart murmurs. In the spring of 1993, it was decided she would need a new heart as soon as possible. She was placed on the transplant list and was fortunate enough to receive a heart on April 21, 1993. She only had to wait about three weeks and in the meantime loved Barney and Rescue 911.

She tried everything she could. One spring she was a participant in America's Little Miss Minnesota, and one year of dance. She played the flute in band and marching band and tried her hand at Lacrosse. In second grade she decided to play hockey and played on a 16U team as that was what was available in Monticello. Other team parents were afraid she would get hurt but she was quick enough and smart enough to get out of the way!

During this time there were some health scares, several bouts of strep throat and pneumonia and med adjustments because even then her kidneys were being stressed. In the early 2000's her body began rejecting her heart. This showed up as atherosclerosis. She had multiple stents and procedures done before she received her 2nd heart transplant in May 2007. She waited longer this time because she was more stable but did have to spend the last several weeks at the U of M waiting. Her grandma was so proud of her she called a news station who came and interviewed Katie and filmed graduation. Again, Katie just kept going! She went to Regency Cosmetology School and then moved to Alexandria. She continued to move forward in her life, always working hard and looking out for those around her. She loved kids and was a great babysitter and nanny.

And then, a third time her body decided it couldn't tolerate her heart, and she needed a third transplant. This time, though, she was healthy enough to stay at home and continue doing the things she loved with the people she loved. In June 2018, Katie received a call a heart was available! And yet again, she thrived and was able to speed walk to her physical therapy appointments.

Katie earned her LPN degree in December 2014 and worked at Bethany on the Lake while getting her RN degree from Alexandria Technical College, graduating in May 2022. After her third transplant, her kidneys continued to fail which eventually resulted in dialysis. She had multiple bouts with sepsis related to indwelling tubes and central lines; and yet she continued to endure.

Katie's first concert was Garth Brooks and she was a goner! She went to as many concerts as she could! She also loved to travel with her friends, Nashville being one of her favorites. Katie was able to go to Hawaii in the fall of 2007 with her mom, dad and younger brother. In February 2023, she traveled to Cancun with her mom. Katie lived her life to the fullest! She loved serving the vets and regulars at the VFW and they had stories to tell about her. Her friends and family called her spunky, witty, brave, strong, goofy, smart, genuine, an inspiration to one and all! She never gave up; she was a fighter! Rest in peace Katie! We all love you! SMOOCHES!

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Donald Dobrzynski, Fred Schienbein and Bernice (Murray) Schienbein.

Katie is survived by her mother Colleen (Dobrzynski) Schienbein; father, Kelly (Melissa) Schienbein; two brothers, Jarrid Schienbein (Jen Middleton) and Jacob Schienbein; grandmother, Virginia (VanDenHeuvel) Dobrzynski; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Urn bearers are Jeff Dobrzynski, Russ Dobrzynski, Kurt Schienbein, and Ken Schienbein. Honorary bearers are Thomas Dobrzynski and Paul Middleton.