Marvin N. Shannon (1936-2020)

SHANNON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/27/2020 at 11:13:12

Marvin N. Shannon, 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Pocahontas, Iowa, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020, at his home after an extended illness. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Burial of the ashes will be in Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A family graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2020, with Pastor Jayne Thompson, Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, officiating. All guests are respectfully requested to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family.

Marvin was born in Oroville, California, on October 7, 1936, to Virgil T. and Gertrude F. Shannon of Johnstown, Colorado. At the age of 11, Marvin, with his parents and two brothers, moved back to Johnstown where he attended school, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1954. Shortly after, he enlisted in the Army spending his basic at Fort Ord, California, and then Japan where he served two and a half years as an MP, lifeguard, and playing football for the Army throughout Japan. He was discharged in 1957. He then attended beauty school in Denver, Colorado, working as a hairdresser for three years.

In 1961, Marvin met his wife, Loretta while she was teaching in Greeley, Colorado. They were married on October 27, 1962, in Ayrshire, Iowa. He worked for the Great Western Sugar Factory in Loveland, Colorado, and later for the Adolph Coors Brewing Company, Golden, Colorado. In 1969, son Lance was born to this union. In 1970, daughter Kristin joined the family, and in 1974, son Nathan was born.

Marvin attended college and graduated from Metropolitan State University, Denver, Colorado, with a BS in Social Sciences with coaching endorsements. The family moved to Everly, Iowa, in 1970 where both Marvin and Loretta were employed as teachers. Marvin also coached basketball, baseball, and assisted in football.

In 1973, the family moved to Pocahontas, Iowa, where he was employed as a special education teacher, having earned his Master’s degree in special education from Mankato State University, Mankato, Minnesota, in 1974. From 1975-1977 Marvin worked as a special education consultant at the Educational Cooperative MWSECO, Cokato, Minnesota; then from 1977-1982 at the Lakeland Education Agency in Cylinder and Algona, Iowa.

Changing careers in 1982, Marvin became a nursing home administrator working for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home Society until 1985 in Aneta, North Dakota. He returned to Iowa in 1985 to work as a special educational consultant for Area Education Agency 4, Sioux Center, Iowa, retiring in May 1999.

Marvin and his wife enjoyed 19 winters in Florence, Arizona, where he was able to enjoy his favorite hobby of golf and playing poker with his many poker “buddies”. Other hobbies included reading the many W.E.B. Griffin books and when in Colorado, fly fishing for trout, a hobby he enjoyed with his father, Virgil. Marvin was an avid fan of the Denver Broncos, never wavering in his loyalty through the many lean years and cheering loudly through the good years. He loved his sports, being a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes both in football and basketball and sneaking in a game or two of the Iowa State Cyclones. He also loved following all the sports activities of his grandchildren, traveling to Cedar Rapids, Kansas, Texas, and to Michigan for it all. He enjoyed watching tennis practices, volleyball games and even enjoyed a couple of dance recitals along the way. After moving to Cedar Rapids in 2012, Marvin became a fan of all LaSalle Middle School and Xavier High School football, basketball, and soccer games, sitting through cold, snow and rainy downpours.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Loretta of 58 years; two sons, Lance (Lynn) Shannon of Cedar Rapids, and Nathan (Lori) Shannon of Sterling Heights, Michigan; daughter, Kristin (Tony) Howerton of Bridgeport, Texas; seven grandchildren, Britni (Amanda) Morris of Mineral Wells, Texas, Peyton, Caelen and Gracie Shannon of Cedar Rapids, Madilyn, Brodie and Elisabeth Shannon of Sterling Heights, Michigan; two step-grandchildren, Faith and Tony Howerton of Bridgeport, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Blakely Rose and Jaycie Bosley of Mineral Wells, Texas; brother, Gayle Shannon of Greeley, Colorado; sister-in-law, Neva Jean Shannon of Loveland, Colorado; brother-in-law, Eugene Overmire of North Branch, Minnesota; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gertrude and Virgil Shannon; brother, Robert Shannon; sister-in-law, Helen Shannon; in-laws, Harry and Alice Overmire; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Norma Stowell; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Marilyn Overmire; niece, Joan Shannon-Miller; and infant nephew, Tommy Overmire.

Memorials may be directed to the family at 5809 Decatur Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404, or to the Mercy Hospice Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, 701 10th Street SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52403-1251.

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