Katherine Shannon

Katherine (Griesel) Shannon

Katherine Gertrude (Griesel) Shannon was born December 25, 1906, in rural Belden, Nebraska to parents Daniel and Talena (Behrens) Griesel. She always counted herself as the 9th of 10 children, though three of her siblings died before she was born. Oscar and Nellie died as small children of diphtheria and a sister Mabel in infancy. She graduated from Belden High School in 1924. Katherine went on to earn her teaching degree from Wayne State Normal School and Teachers College 1925. She taught country school in McLean, Nebraska. On August 23, 1933, she married Clarence Percy Shannon in Tyndal, South Dakota. At that time some of the teaching contracts did not allow teachers to marry so she kept her marriage a secret for a year. The couple lived Sioux City and Des Moines, Iowa before moving to Santa Ana California in 1962. Katherine held a variety of jobs throughout the years. The couple operated theaters in McLean, Winside and Wakefield, Nebraska. She worked at Woolworth's stores in Sioux City and in Des Moines and Newberry's in California.
Percy died in 1979 in Santa Ana, California. In February of 2001, Katherine moved in with her nephew - Chuck and Jean Griesel in Rock Island, Illinois and then to rural Woodbine, Iowa.
Katie was quite interested in family history before it was fashionable and carried on extensive correspondence with family and friends before her eyesight made that impossible. Her family history formed the basis for many others' discussion and research. She was a talented crafter whose knitting, crocheting and tatting was sold or donated to many charitable organizations. Her traditional baby gift of booties, hat and sweater are much treasured by family members who received them.
Katie was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church. She was particularly proud of her longtime involvement with the Eastern Star, Rebekah's Lodge, and the Salvation Army.
Katie died on February 24, 2004, at her nephew's home near Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 97 years, one month and 30 days.
Katie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four brothers - Oscar, Bill, Art, and Harry Griesel; five sisters - Clara Behrend, Tillie Kint, Lillian Spike, Nellie Griesel, and Mabel Griesel. She is survived by several generations of nephews and nieces.

Services
Fouts Funeral Home
Woodbine, Iowa
Friday, February 27, 2004 at 10:30 am

Clergy Rev. Shurmaine McAlpine
Musician Margaret Cotton
Vocalist Max Poe
Selections "Hymn of Promise"
"Blessed Assurance"

Additional Services
Union Presbyterian Church
Belden, Nebraska
Saturday, February 28, 2004 at 10:00 AM

Clergy Rev. Duane Rhoadarmer
Musician Verjean Heydon
Vocalist Carolyn Harder

Final Resting Place
Belden Cemetery
Belden, Nebraska
Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.