Donald “Don” Dean Shahan
Donald “Don” Dean Shahan
Cedar Rapids
Donald “Don” Dean Shahan was born Aug. 16, 1929, in Orient, Iowa, to Warren and Mayme (Welker) Shahan. He died Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea, Minn., at age 93. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 31, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 1 p.m. at the chapel. The burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Don graduated from Shellsburg High School in Shellsburg, Iowa. Don met Marilyn (Mendell) on a blind date and later married on July 25, 1954, in Dows, Iowa. They lived in Cedar Rapids for their entire married life. Don worked at Rockwell-Collins for 37 years as a machinist. He rode his bike to work almost every day and was known for his hard work ethic. Don was very proud to have made machine parts that were used on several Apollo space missions. Don was an avid sportsman. He frequently could be found hunting and fishing. He shared venison and fish with friends and family often. Even at the age of 93, he was walking two miles a day and could be seen at Noelridge Park. Don took great pride in his yard, and spent countless hours on it, along with gardening and sharing vegetables from his several gardens. Don and Marilyn took their children, Steve and Cathy on numerous cross-country vacations. Don was actively involved in his church, Echo Hill First Presbyterian Church.
Left to cherish Don’s memory are Marilyn, his wife of nearly 70 years; his children, Steven (Cindy) Shahan and Cathy (Jim) Cohen; grandchildren, Eric (Nicole) Shahan, Spencer Shahan, Riley (Travis) Schweigerand Ryan McLaughlin. The apple of his eye was his great-grandson, Jackson Shahan. Don is survived by one sister, Eloise Geater; a sister-in-law, Janice Shahan; along with many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Mayme; brothers, Lyle (Evelyn) Shahan; Melvin (Dorothy) Shahan; Dale Shahan; and Allen Shahan; sister, Velma (Alva) Erwin; and a brother-in-law, Duane Geater.
Memorials may be directed in Don’s
honor to the Mayo Clinic Hospice at philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC.
God bless Donald’s memory.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.