Leon G. Shortenhaus 1926-2012

SHORTENHAUS GILBERT OESTER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/20/2012 at 12:26:38

Sioux City Journal
April 16, 2012

Leon G. Shortenhaus, 85, of Sioux City passed away Friday, April 13, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church, 1735 Morningside Ave., with the Rev. Dr. Tony Nester officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Navy. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Leon was born June 8, 1926, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, the son of Harm and Grace (Gilbert) Shortenhaus. He graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War II in the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946 and entered Morningside College. He graduated from Morningside College with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. While at Morningside College, Leon played football under Coach George Allen. He was captain of the football team and named to the All Conference Team in 1949.

Leon began his career in Sanborn, Iowa, in 1949, where he taught and coached football, basketball and track. He also met Ruth Oester while in Sanborn. They were married June 5, 1951, in Sheldon, Iowa, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last summer. From 1952 to 1956, Leon was a teacher and the head football coach in Sheldon, Iowa. Leon and Ruth moved to Burbank, Calif., in 1956 and lived there for 12 years. While in Burbank, Leon was a teacher, coach and counselor. Their three sons were also born while they were living in Burbank.

The family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1967 and then to Sioux City in 1969. From 1969 to 1980, Leon was employed by the Sioux City Community School District as a counselor at Hayworth Junior High and at East Junior. In 1980, he joined the staff at Morningside College, where he served as assistant football coach and associate director of admissions. He retired from Morningside College in 1997.

Leon was inducted into the Morningside "M" Club Hall of Fame in 1973 and served as "M" Club secretary for 17 years as well as organizing the George Allen Football Classic for 11 years. After his retirement, he was awarded the "Order of Morningside" for his dedication to Morningside College. In 2008, he was inducted into the John Burroughs High School Hall of Fame in Burbank, Calif.

He was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Morningside American Legion Post 697. Leon enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf and painting. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Sioux City; three sons, Dan Shortenhaus and his wife, Alicia Klein of Walnut Creek, Calif., Joe Shortenhaus of Sioux City, and Ron Shortenhaus and his wife, Holly of Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren, David and Erik Shortenhaus, Jeremiah and Landon Shortenhaus, twins, Drew and Emma Shortenhaus; and a sister, Naomi Garst of Buffalo Center, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harry.

Pallbearers will be Darrel Lieber, Rudy Pape, Fred Erbes, Dick Weikert, Walt Balmer and Tom Wagner.

Memorials may be made in his name to Grace United Methodist Church or to the Morningside College Athletic Department.