Jeanne A. Shanks, 92 of Mason City passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Rockwell Care Center surrounded by her loving family.
Memorial services will be held 11am Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, with Rev. Beverly Butler officiating. She will be laid to rest at Rock Grove Cemetery rural Nora Springs.
Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service.
Jeanne Ann Potter was born on April 4, 1932, in Park Rapids, MN, to Ralph and Lilly Belle (Brown) Potter. She spent her early years in Park Rapids before her family moved to Minneapolis when she was ten. There, she attended North High School, graduating in 1950. On December 10, 1950, Jeanne married the love of her life, Burton Eugene Shanks, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Although she was a city girl at heart, Jeanne embraced life on the farm in Mason City, where they raised their four children—Patricia, James, Susan, and Charlotte—for over 50 years. Every day brought new challenges, but she quickly learned to work the land, baking delicious bread and filling the pantry with endless jars of canned goods. A devoted mother, Jeanne also had a fulfilling career, working at Schukei Chevrolet, Decker’s Employees Credit Union, Armor Credit Union, and later for Col. Gordon E. Taylor as his executive secretary, an auction clerk, and a real estate agent before retiring in 2012.
Jeanne and Burton shared a love for adventure that led them far beyond their Mason City farm. Together, they traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, and California, creating lasting memories with their children and grandchildren as they enjoyed the warm sands and ocean breezes. While these family vacations were dear to her, Jeanne’s true joy came from the everyday moments spent raising her children and later, watching her grandchildren grow.
A talented artist, Jeanne’s detailed paintings were a testament to her keen eye for color and design. She was also a skilled cook and baker, with a knack for turning the simplest ingredients into something special. Everything she touched seemed to improve, thanks to her meticulous nature and ability to see the good in every situation. Jeanne lived by the motto, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it”, and could be found outside working, whether it was mowing the lawn, tending to the garden or touching up her flowers. She was always watching out for her family, ensuring their well-being. Jeanne and Burton were also dedicated members of the Rock Falls Old Stone Methodist Church, where they nurtured their faith and sense of community.
She is survived by her four children, Patricia Swoboda of Cary, IL, James Shanks, Sr. of Woden, Susan (Brian) Wood of Mason City, and Charlotte (Kurt) Huntington of Cleveland, NC; grandchildren, Christopher Swoboda, Kellie Marie (Oli) Ostertag, James (Megan) Shanks, Jr., Angela (Zane) Kantaris, Billie Sue (Jake) Hiatt, Brian (Abigail) Wood, Jr, Jennifer (John) Eckart, David (Kristen) Huntington, and Jacquelyn Huntington; great-grandchildren, Henry, a baby on the way, Rosie, Ellie, Kellen, Elena, William, Rowan, Delanie, Sterling, Kimberly, Joshua, and Charles; and her sister, Julie Bradshaw; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Preceding her in death are her husband; parents; sisters, Donna May Young, Dorthea Moreault, Louise Potter, and Virginia Potter; and brother, Charles Potter.
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