Opal Shahan

OPAL PAULINE SHAHAN Opal Pauline Shahan, daughter of Jesse and Edna Thomson was born May 18, 1911 on a farm Southwest of Marne, Iowa and died on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Nebraska Medical Center of Omaha at the age of 96 years, 11 months and 4 days. Opal was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Marne. She attended grade school in a one room country school, Brighton No 9, located across the field from home. After eighth grade, she attended Marne two year high school. She drove a horse (Daisy) and buggy to make the daily three mile trip. Opal graduated from Atlantic High School in 1930 where she was part of the Glee Club and band (she played tenor saxophone). She was active in 4-H and played piano. She started a teaching career in a one room school in Pottawattamie County named Porterville. Her teaching experience of 36 years included Washington No.3, Pymosa Township, Marne (27) years and Jackson Elementary in Atlantic. She retired in 1972. During the summer, week-ends and holidays Opal supplemented her income by working in nursing homes in Atlantic and at the Marne Post Office. On March 26, 1936, Opal was married to Herbert Gress of Marne and they became parents of two children, Bob and Carol. They lived on farms around Marne and Walnut. On July 18, 1941 Herb passed away after a tragic farm accident. In a matter of a few months her father Jesse and father-in-law Frank Gress also passed on. After a short stay in Calif., Opal moved back to Atlantic and resumed her teaching career, moving to Marne in 1944 and teaching 6-7-8th grades. Opal married William Grant Shahan, formerly of Marne, in December of 1964 and they made their home in Marne until his death on June 10, 1984. Opal continued to maintain a home in Marne and kept busy by tending her garden and lots of flower beds, cooking, baking and reading. She was a long time member of Liberty Chapter, order of Eastern Star where she served as pianist 50 years and as Worthy Matron and other offices. She was a member of White Shrine, Cass Co. Retired Teachers, Marne Community Club, Marne Elderberries, Marne Garden Club, Centennial Committees and the WSCS as well as many other activities at the Marne United Methodist Church. She held many offices in these organizations. She was fond of attending her children"s and student"s Marne softball and baseball games, particularly when her daughter and son participated. She fed the neighborhood cats and loved feeding and watching the birds. Opal played the piano and provided a lot of entertaining readings at a number of functions in and around Marne. She had box after box of material she had saved in case someone would call on her for some idea or activity for entertainment. She will be dearly missed and sweetly remembered by family and friends. Survivors include daughter Carol and husband Jim Carlisle of Granbury, Texas, son Bob and wife Pat Gress of Westside, Ia., sister Erma Lange of Atlantic. Five grandchildren, Kurt Gress, Kurby Gress, Kolby Gress, Paula Leonard and Carmin Whitten. Eight great granddaughters, numerous nieces and nephews, and a lot of former pupils. Preceding her in death were her parents Jesse and Edna Thomson, her husbands Herb and Grant, her brother Earl and sister-in-law Alice Thomson, sister Doris Kirkland, brother-in-law Emmert Lange, nephew Keith Kirkland, niece Kathy Davis, and step-son Bill Shahan.Funeral InformationA funeral service for Opal has been set for 2:00 o"clock Sunday afternoon, April 27 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, Ia. Nephew, Pastor Gary Weems, of Hettinger, North Dakota, will officiate. The committal service will follow in the Brighton Township Cemetery at Marne, Ia. There will be open visitation at Roland Funeral Home, including visitation with Opal"s family present to meet with friends on Saturday evening from 5:00 to 7:00. The Eastern Star ceremony will be conducted by Liberty Chapter Members of Marne at 4:30 PM at the Roland Funeral Home. The family requests that memorials may be designated to Marne organizations. Roland Funeral Home is caring for Opal"s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at the Roland web site at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.IN REMEMBRANCE OFOPAL PAULINE SHAHANBorn on May 18, 1911 on a Farm Southwest of Marne, IowaENTERED INTO RESTTuesday, April 22, 2008 Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska At the age of 96 years, 11months and 4 daysFUNERAL SERVICESunday, April 27, 20082:00 O"clock in the AfternoonRoland Funeral Home in Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATING Nephew Pastor Gary Weems of Hettinger, North Dakota will officiate. Grandson Kurt Gress will give the eulogy.MUSICAL SELECTIONS"In The Garden&" by the Congregation"Lead Kindly Light&" "His Eye Is On The Sparrow&"MUSICIAN Margaret BatscheletBEARERS Kurt Gress Kurby Gress Kolby Gress Tony Leonard Steve Whitten Alan Cranston HONORARY BEARERS Don Pelzer Richard Hemmingsen Ken Polkingharn Ben Waters FLOWER COMMITTEE Jackie Pelzer Molly Cranston Janet Polkingharn Carol Hemmingsen COMMITTALBrighton Township Cemetery, Marne, IowaLUNCHEONThe family invites friends to join them for a luncheon following the committal at Marne Community Center ~ in "Opal"s Room&"The Eastern Star ceremony will be conducted by Liberty ChapterMembers of Marne at 4:30 PM Saturday at the Roland Funeral Home