Catherine V. Shanahan, 64

Posted

Catherine Virginia (Stevens) Shanahan was born on Jan. 29, 1956, to parents LeRoy and Virginia (Renz) Stevens in Denison. Cathy grew up in the Moorhead and Soldier area and graduated from East Monona High School in 1974. She married the love of her life Joel Shanahan on Jan. 13, 1975, in Sioux City. The couple made their home in Ute. She worked at the Ute Co-op and then at National Carriers in Denison. She retired from National Carriers in the summer of 2020.

Cathy was a woman of many talents, whether it was winning first place in pickup pulling and talking cars with the guys, or sewing her daughters’ matching outfits and fixing the grandkids’ dance costumes. One of her favorite things was to snuggle up with her cats and read. It wouldn’t be unheard of for her to read more than one book in a day.

Cathy’s greatest joy was her family. Her time was filled with family gatherings and weekend getaways to see her daughters and grandkids.

Cathy died on Jan. 17, 2021, at her home surrounded by her husband and four daughters at the age of 64 years, 11 months and 20 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Joel Shanahan of Ute; four daughters, Heather and her husband Rick Harris of Dunlap, Keri and her husband Brian Muff of Dow City, Cori Shanahan and her husband Brandon Thoreson of Ankeny and Tara Shanahan and her husband Ryan Eisele of Lee Summit, Mo.; five grandchildren, Reagan and Hannah Harris, Lauryn, Liam and Quinn Muff; her brother, Maynard Stevens and his wife Marilyn of Branson, Mo.; and many other relatives and friends.

Cathy has requested that her body be cremated and that they hold a Celebration of Life at a later time. Fouts Funeral Home of Woodbine is helping the family with her arrangements.