BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are set for Dennis Gale Shannon, 74, of Boone, Iowa passed away at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He was born on January 16, 1947 in Harlan, Iowa, the son of Gale William and Dorothy Irene (Barry) Shannon.
On March 6, 1971, Dennis was united in marriage to Diane Gearhart at the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove, Iowa. He grew up on a grain-livestock farm near Irwin, Iowa and graduated from Irwin High School in 1965. He then attended Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agronomy in 1969. He studied and worked at South Dakota State University where he received a Master’s of Science in Agronomy, specializing in soils and irrigation. After graduation, the family moved to Manilla, Iowa where Denny joined his parents in their farming operation. In 1986, Denny accepted a position at Iowa State University as Manager of the ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, a career he excelled at for 26 years. Denny retired in 2013.
Denny was a member of the United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, and was on the school board at Manilla where he served as president. Denny was a member of the Denison, Iowa and Brookings, South Dakota National Guard, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Denny became a Master Gardener in 1991. He was a John Deere guy and was proud to own his dad’s restored ’70 tractor.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents, and infant sister, Bonnie Kay. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Diane of Boone, Iowa; his children: Ted Shannon of Des Moines, Iowa, Jeff (Heather) Shannon of Olympia, Washington, Lindsay Shannon of Naperville, Illinois, and Chris Shannon of Boone, Iowa; his grandchildren, Kaoula Madrone and Dmitri Marie; brother, Rod (Noreen) Shannon of Irwin, Iowa; sisters: Janice (Maury) Salz of Honey Creek, Iowa, and Joan Shannon of Des Moines, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jim Caster of Illinois; nieces; nephews; cousins; and their families.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Saturday, April 3, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Boone with Rev. David Swinton officiating. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 2:30 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin, Iowa with Rev. Laurie Riley officiating. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be on Friday, April 2, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa as well as one hour prior to the funeral service at the First United Methodist Church.
Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church in Boone, Habitat for Humanity in Boone, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements
Dennis “Denny” Shannon, 74, Boone, Iowa
