Barbara J. Shannon
March 26, 1932 - October 10, 2015
Barbara J. Shannon, 83, of Fremont, passed away Saturday, October 10th, in her home in Fremont.
Barbara was born March 26, 1932 in Superior, Nebraska to Arthur L. Kerns and Ila M. (Young) Kerns. She graduated from high school in Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is where she met and fell in love with her husband, Bobby J. Shannon. They were married in Fremont on June 8, 1952, and spent their early years in South Carolina where Bob was stationed in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg. After his discharge in 1954, they made their home in Fremont where Bob worked for Hormel Foods.
Barbara was a remarkable lady with the heart of a servant. She was instrumental in developing many programs for the handicapped. She and other parents helped to start the Fremont Opportunity Center, which was a school for those with special needs. Later on, she would become a strong proponent for Special Olympics and became a beloved coach for basketball, bowling, and track. Some of her special kids called her Grandma, Mom, or even their best friend, and they never failed to make her heart smile. Through the ARC (Association of Retarded Citizens), she helped plan and execute holiday dances for her 'kids' who all looked forward to the next event. She became the 'invitation lady'. Barb's whole family, including her grandchildren, would get involved with Honey Sunday (the selling of honey bears door to door).
Barb worked many places in Fremont, but spent her last 21 years of working as a secretary in the Judicial Center/Courthouse. Retirement was hard on her as she loved the people she worked with.
She is survived by her daughters, Debra (and husband Dan) Hitchler and Denise Shannon, both of Fremont. Barbara had two grandchildren, Jessica Hitchler of Lincoln and Tyler (and wife Breanna) Hitchler of Omaha. She loved being a grandma and was blessed with two great grandchildren, Silas Hitchler and Marlys Hitchler. She is also survived by two sisters, Norma Payzant (and husband Ron) of Fremont and Arnita Wolf of Hooper, and a sister-in-law Patsy Bishop of Oklahoma City, Ok, as well as nieces, nephews, and her special kids. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, daughter Diane, as well as her parents and brother-in-law Raymond Wolf.
The funeral service will be 10 AM Thursday, October 15, 2015, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church with the Rev. Russell McDowell officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, October 14th from 2 to 8 PM with the family present from 6 to 8 PM at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont. Burial will be Memorial Cemetery, Fremont. All memorials received will be divided between the Alzheimers Association and Hearts United for Animals.
online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
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