SHANKS, George circa 1930-2010
SHANKS
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/13/2010 at 20:30:27
Formerly of Nora Springs
CALIENTE, CALIFORNIA - George Shanks, 80, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday (June 7, 2010) after a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of four of his five children who were at his bedside constantly for the week prior to his death.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, at Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye, Nora Springs, with the Rev. Jim Turner officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs, with full military honors conducted by members of the American Legion H.D.S. Post 449. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Sheckler Colonial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in George's name to the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California, 15490 Ventura Blvd., Suite 210, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-3016, or online.
George grew up in Nora Springs. In his senior year of high school, he transferred to Mason City High School because they offered a woodworking class. He had already decided he wanted to be in the construction business and wanted to take courses that would be of help in his chosen career. Following high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was a crew chief/mechanic and was required to fly with the planes to keep them in working order. He had many interesting stories to tell and fond memories of the people he served with. He has maintained those friendships and always looked forward to their annual reunions. He also looked forward to the high school reunions of both Nora Springs and Mason City and had many lifetime friends.
George was a very accomplished businessman and excelled in the construction business. He started his career building houses in Iowa, then moved to California forming his own company and building tract homes. He later branched out and began building commercial property and investing in real estate. He loved to fly his airplane for both business and pleasure. He was capable of mastering any project he chose to do.
After retiring, he enjoyed creating beautiful woodworking and stained glass projects, gardening, traveling and patiently passing on his knowledge by instructing and helping others with home improvements as well as other projects. In addition to his home in California, which he and his wife designed and built, he owned a home in Frisco, Colorado. He was a black diamond skier and excellent ice skater.
George was a very loving, caring, passionate and social person. He loved to visit with people and to know him was to love him. He will be missed by all those who had the good fortune to be a family member or friend.
He is survived by his son, Rick (Ralisa); daughters, Debbie Mull and Teresa Hevener; stepdaughters, Julie (John) Hoppis and Lisa (Robert) Holland; grandsons, Ryan Mull; Jamie, Josh and Jeremy Hevener; Garrett and Shawn Shanks and Cole Holland; granddaughters, Sara Shanks and Rachel, Laurel and McKenna Hoppis; and great-granddaughters, Emma and Izzy Shanks. He is also survived by his brothers, Burton, Earl, Glen, David and Larry, and sister, Dorothy.
George will be rejoining his beloved wife of 33 years, Marjorie, who passed away four years ago after a valiant fight with kidney disease. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Gladys Shanks; his son, Marty; his granddaughter, Jennifer Mull; his son-in-law, Frank Hevener; his sister, Ester Ford and brother, Howard Shanks.
Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye, Nora Springs, IA 641-749-2210. View George's online memorial at www.colonialchapels.com.
[ Mason City Globe Gazette online, June 13, 2010 -- www.globegazette.com ]
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NOTES:
According to the Social Security Death Index, his wife:MARJORIE E. SHANKS
Born: 01 Oct 1937
Died: 06 Feb 2006
Res: 93518 (Caliente, Kern, Calif.)
Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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