Shields, Ramadean Ellen

SHIELDS, MCGRAW, BURCHETT, BOYD, OWENS, STEPHENSON, GENT, VON AHSEN, WOUGHTER, HOWARD, KLEIN

Posted By: Ken Baker (email)
Date: 2/8/2022 at 20:22:59

From Slade O'Donnell Funeral Home Site

Obituary
Ramadean Ellen (McGraw) Shields, age 92, of Grand River, Iowa, was born December 14, 1929, in Grand River. She was one of four daughters born to Harry Raymond and Alice Ellen (Owens) McGraw. Ramadean passed from this life on February 4, 2022.

Ramadean was born and raised in Westerville, Iowa and spent her entire life there. She attended Westerville country school, which still stands on the family farm today, and graduated from Grand River High School in 1946.

She married Carl Joseph "Joe" Shields on January 27, 1951, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa. They made their forever home in rural Grand River (Westerville) on her family's century farm. To this union, four children were born: Michael Joseph, Thomas Edward, Jerold Ray and Mary Ann.

Ramadean was a farmer and homemaker. Tending to the cattle was her absolute passion. She would be outside for hours, walking several miles a day, to complete the chores and ensure they were all accounted for. Her grandchildren & great grandchildren were also her pride and joy. Chocolate donuts, Tang orange juice, kite toast & cookies were just a few of her favorite things to serve them when they came to visit, and it was very rare that anyone left without getting some sort of snack. She was also a fantastic cook/baker and a few of her recipes are showcased in cookbooks. She also helped with many Church and community meals.

Ramadean was a faithful lifelong member of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Grand River and was one of the first members to be baptized in the church. She served as Treasurer of the Church for many years and could always be found in her spot at mass, the back pew.

Ramadean will always be remembered for her big heart, her caretaking ability, and her amazing stubbornness as she never wanted to bother anyone and always wanted to do things on her own.

Preceding Ramadean in death were her parents, Raymond and Alice McGraw; sisters, Kate Burchett, Marilyn Boyd, and Franny Stephenson; and parents-in-law, Nelson and Pearl Shields.

Surviving her is her husband of over 71 years, Joe Shields; children, Mike (Sherry) Shields of Grand River, Tom (Karen) Shields of Grinnell, IA, Jerry Shields of Grand River, Mary Gent (Mike Von Ahsen) of Waterloo, IA; her 17 grandchildren, Sondra, Joshua, Caleb, Jamiel, Miranda, Ezra, Jacob, Devin, Rachael, Leah, Shawna, Tori, Kristin, Nichole, Ashley, Paul, Aaron & all of their spouses; her 22 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way); sisters-in-law, Cleone (Tom) Woughter and Virginia (Steve) Howard; many nieces, nephews, cousins and long time family friends, John & Carol Klein.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 10, 2022. Burial will follow in the Grand River Cemetery. Open visitation will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa on Wednesday, 1 – 7 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m.
Memorials may be given to Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa or the Shields Family Scholarship for Murray Community School seniors students.