Helen Shahan

Helen K. Shahan, 89, of Atlantic, Iowa, and a longtime former Marne, Iowa, resident, passed away Friday, January 12, 2007, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.


Helen was born February 27, 1917, in Elk Horn, Iowa, where she was raised and graduated from High School. She was the daughter of Andrew and Karen (Pedersen) Christensen.


On August 18, 1938, Helen married Clinton Shahan in Omaha, Nebraska. He preceded her in death on June 20, 1980.


Helen worked in the cafeteria at the Atlantic High School and did custodial work at the Marne Elementary School.


After living in Marne for more than 50 years, Helen moved to the Heritage House, in Atlantic, in 2000.


Helen was a member of the Marne United Methodist Church and was a longtime member of the church's UMW.


She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matrons, Marne Elderberries and Marne Garden Club. She served as treasurer of several Marne organizations, including the Town of Marne and the Marne Community Club.


Helen is survived by her two daughters, Karen Eilers and her husband, Del of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Ruth Ann Stoner and her husband, Ken of Lawrence, Kansas; her son, Jim Shahan and his wife, Teresa of Jefferson, Iowa; a son-in-law, Malcolm Bishop of Atlantic, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Kathy Eilers, Beth Cronin, Meg Eilers, Keri Lee Stoner-Davis, J.C. Stoner, Caitlin Stephenson, Will Shahan, Mike Bishop, Jon Bishop and Susan Soma and their families.


Also surviving are 13 great-grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many longtime friends.


Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Shahan; her daughter, Janet Bishop; one sister; two brothers; as well as her parents, Andrew and Karen Christensen.


Funeral services are set for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 16, 2007, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the Reverend James Buckhahn of the Marne First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne followed by fellowship and lunch at the Marne First United Methodist Church.


Public visitation will be Monday, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Hockenberry's.


Hockenberry Family Care, in Atlantic, is in charge of the arrangements.