Marjorie J. Shannon

Marjorie Jane Shannon, age 100, died November 28, 2024, at Eagle Crest South in La Crosse. 

She was born on April 1, 1924, to Adam Ray Smith and Velma Mary (Christy) Smith in Altamont, Kansas. Marge graduated from Caney High School, where she was drum major for the band and played in the orchestra. On February 24, 1946, Marge married Kenneth Wayne Shannon in Caney, Kansas. They celebrated 71 years together before Ken’s passing in November 2017.

During Marge’s senior year in high school, Pearl Harbor was attacked, which she said greatly impacted her and her classmates. During the war, she worked at Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, OK. After she was married, Marge worked in Fort Wayne, IN, for Lincoln National Life Insurance.

In La Crosse, Marge was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church from 1954 until its closing in 2018. She served as a volunteer in the Family Room for Surgery and the ICU at Gundersen Hospital for many years. She was Past President of the 20th Century Club. Marge supported her children in Scouts, school activities, and their music and dance lessons. She enjoyed playing the piano, winning at bridge and dominoes, and the many Masonic fraternity activities she and Ken participated in. Ken and Marge spent winters on North Padre Island in Texas for 19 years after Ken retired. We are thankful for her love, caring, and great sense of humor.

 Marge is survived by her daughters, Rev. Kristie Olah, of Sunnyvale, CA; and Terry (Mark) DeRubeis of Sarasota, Fl; and son Kerry (Kathy) Shannon of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren Ryan Olah (Kim Turner-Olah), Andrea Olah, Erik (Heather) Olah, Kelly (Jay) Markey, Lisa DeRubeis, Jesse DeRubeis, Kevin (Ashley) Shannon, and Adam (Jennifer) Shannon; and great-grandchildren Brandon Olah, Nathan Olah, Sydney Colen, Sadie Turner, Matthew Olah, Luke Olah, Holden Markey, Gabrielle Shoraka, and Hazel Shannon, as well as her sister-in-law Betty Smith of Bettendorf, IA. She was preceded in death by her brothers Ray Christy Smith and Bob Smith.

 A service will be held on Thursday, December 5, at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Avenue South in La Crosse, with Visitation at 9:30 am and Service at 10am.

The family thanks the staff of Eagle Crest South High Acuity Assisted Living for their care and kindness toward Mom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Eagle Crest South Employee Appreciation Fund, Bethany Lutheran Homes, 2575 South 7th St., La Crosse, WI 54601.