Carol Lee Shanahan

In Memory of Carol Lee Shanahan (1937-2024) Carol Lee Shanahan, née Hill, passed away peacefully at her Jacksonville, North Carolina home of 19 years with her son, Mike and her daughter-in-law, Kelly by her side on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Carol was born in Osage, IA, on December 7, 1937, the daughter of Stannard and Amy Hill. Carol was mother to Mike Shanahan and Chris Shanahan (deceased). In addition to Mike and Kelly, Carol is survived by grandson, Michael Shanahan and his wife, Stefanie and their two sons, Michael and Colin, grandson, Casey Shanahan and his partner, Kara Shervanick, and granddaughter, Lindsay Shanahan. She is also survived by her sister, Kay Hill and partner, Patricia Umfress; brother, Ronald Hill and wife, Karen; nieces and nephews, Kent Balsley (Tari), Brad Balsley (Jill), Jayne Olsen (Jeffrey), Ginger Hanson (Brent), and Richard Balsley (Heather), Kevin Hill and Laurie Shaffer (Danny); special family friends, Lisa Thompson and Kayla Meade. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sandra Bower, and brothers, Kent Hill, and Keith Hill as well as nieces, Sandy Lang, Merry Lynn Balsley and Debbie Burke. Carol always remembered her siblings, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews with holiday and birthday cards. Crosswords were a favorite pastime of Carol—and, unlike many of us, she did her crosswords in pen. From an early age, Carol knew she wanted a career in nursing; she fulfilled her dream and practiced surgical nursing in Rochester, MN, Charles City, IA, and, primarily, in Osage, IA. She also spent time knitting in her retirement and provided many friends and relatives with favorite dishcloths. She was an avid reader and was particularly fond of mysteries. She also enjoyed traveling in her retirement. Carol was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Osage, and a 50+ year member of PEO. Her friend Cara wrote of Carol: “She was such a presence, always, in the family and to her friends and she was so loved. She will be greatly missed and yet her warmth, generosity, many kindnesses, her dry sense of humor and love for her family will never be forgotten. She was legendary with her attention to detail, energy to do for others, her cooking skills, and her love for others. She suffered no fools, but had a heart of gold, and gave of herself so freely.” Nieces recalled that “she was the best” for everyone who knew her. The funeral service for Carol will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Champion Funeral Home in Osage, Iowa. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Friday. Carol will be buried in the Liberty Cemetery, Little Cedar, IA, alongside her son Chris, her parents, Stannard and Amy, and her brother, Keith. Champion Funeral Home of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.