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Shea, Elgene Gonnerman
Elgene Gonnerman Shea, 74, of Des Moines, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Des Moines.
Elgene Kurtz Gonnerman Shea was born on Dec. 6, 1936, to Floyd and Hazel (Anderson) Kurtz, in Waterloo. After graduating from Mason City High School in 1955, Elgene graduated from Drake University in 1959, with majors in church music, voice and piano. She was a member of the Delta Zeta and Mu Phi Epsilon Music Sororities.
Elgene and David Gonnerman were married in 1957. They had two children, Eric and Pam. David died in 1970.
Elgene received her Master's Degree in Vocal Music from the University of Iowa and taught music and directed the Kirkwood Community College choir.
Elgene married Timothy Shea on Dec. 28, 1974. In addition to Eric and Pam, they had two daughters, Clancy and Meaghan.
Elgene was a member of many clubs and organizations and she lived by the wisdom she found in over 32 years in Al-Anon.
Elgene was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Clancy Shea; and a son, Eric Gonnerman.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Tim (TJ); two daughters, Pam Vislisel (Tim) of Central City and Meaghan Shea-Evans (Cal) of Logan; seven grandchildren, Joe Vislisel of Central City, Daniel Vislisel (Kim) of 29 Palms, Calif., Cassidy Vislisel of Cedar Falls, and Timmy Vislisel of Central City, and Kolesen, Rylee and Kaitlyn Evans of Logan; three great-grandchildren, Angel, Julian, and Titus Vislisel of Cedar Rapids.; one sister, Jo Stensaas (Don) of Boise, Idaho; one brother, Marty Kurtz (Sarah) of Davenport; friend, Kae Coppock of Des Moines; and many loving relatives, Uncle LeRoy and Aunt Marilyn Anderson of Sun City, Ariz., cousins, nieces and nephews in Iowa, Minnesota, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and Texas.
A visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Hamilton Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St., Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines. Officiating will be the Rev. Mark Stringer.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be sent to .
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