Dennis Shepherd (1940-2021)

SHEPHERD, GILARDI, O’NEILL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/18/2021 at 14:55:04

DENNIS "DENNY" SHEPHERD Manchester Dennis "Denny" Shepherd, 80, of Manchester, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Private Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Cedar Rapids with a rosary service beginning at 7 p.m. Burial with military honors: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Friends and extended family are invited to watch the Mass via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Dennis' tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries. Survivors include his son, Matthew (Elizabeth) Shepherd; grandchildren, Addison, Jayden and Madalyn; former spouse, Margaret "Meg" O'Neil; many nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends. Dennis Charles Shepherd was born May 18, 1940, in Genoa, Wis., to Roscoe and Beatrice (Gilardi) Shepherd. He grew up in Lansing, Iowa, and joined the Marines in 1961, honorably serving until 1966. He married Margaret O'Neill in 1970 and they had one son. They later divorced. Dennis began working for Interstate Power and Light (later becoming Alliant Energy) as a control room operator from 1973 until his retirement in 2001. Dennis and his son, Matt, enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, target shooting and fishing on the Mississippi River in the bass boat. He was a member of the NRA for many years. Dennis and Matt raised calves on their hobby farm acreage which also included a pony and chickens. He also enjoyed collecting coins, watching Westerns and EWTN as well as reading, especially on topics such as history, the Catholic faith, politics and biographies. Dennis was a devout Catholic and faithful man who had Devotion to Mary. He was a rather quiet and reserved person, but was kind and helpful. He contributed to causes including Relevant Radio, Wounded Warrior Project, Food for the Poor and Divine Mercy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Roscoe Jr., Damon, Larry, Gloria, Janice, Clair Ann and Rita. Memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Mercy or Food for the Poor.

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Published in The Gazette on Feb. 9, 2021.