Patrick Shea

SHEA, MAHER, LANUS

Posted By: Sheryl McClure (email)
Date: 11/6/2022 at 18:14:18

DEATH OF AN IOWA PIONEER.

Mr. Patrick Shea died at his home in Varina, Iowa, on January 9, at the age of 77 years. He was born March 14, 1837, in the parish of Drangan, County Tipperary Ireland. At the age of 12 years he came to Quebec, arriving there in May, 1849. He did not remain in Canada, however, but came to the United States the same year, coming directly to lowa. On May 17, 1869, he was united in marriage to Mary Maher, also a native of Ireland from County Kilkenny. She preceded him in death thirty-four years ago. To this happy union four children were born, Richard and Maggie, who lived with Mr. Shea at the old homestead; Joseph of Barnesville, Minn., and Mrs. J. Lanus of Pocahon tas. Iowa, all of whom were present at the funeral. He was buried from St. Columbkille's church on Monday. January 12, with Solemn Requiem Mass, of which Father Masterson was the celebrant, assisted by Father Cook of Storm Lake as deacon and Father Heelan of Fonda as sub-deacon.

Mr. Shea was a devout Catholic all his lifetime. Through his energy and zeal away back in the early 70s the few scattering Catholic families of those days were gathered together and even before the first district school was built Mr. Shea's modest home was the sanctuary in which the first Mass in Pocahontas county was offered up. Father Thomas Lenehan, then of Fort Dodge, afterwards Bishop of Cheyenne, was the celebrant of the Mass Mr. Shea was a member of the first church committee formed to look after the collecting of funds for the first church. Until recent years when enfeebled with old age, he always took an active part in everything that pertained to the welfare of his church. The parish today mourns and misses him, and its loss. which is heaven's gain, is the loss of a dear, kind father.
[note: son of Patrick Shea and Mary Maher]

(Jan. 23, 1914--The True Catholic Voice, Omaha NE)