Barbara Louise Shannon of Salina, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 14, following a long and beautiful life devoted to her family.
Barbara was the devoted mother of seven children and the heart of a large and loving family that became her greatest joy. She was a woman of remarkable kindness, a gentle spirit, and unwavering love for those around her. As her family grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so did the reach of her love and the example she leaves behind.
Barbara was born on September 5, 1932, in Manchester, Kansas, the daughter of Walter Soderberg and Nellie Ellison Reed. The family moved to Junction City when she was in kindergarten, then to Salina when she was in third grade. She attended Roosevelt-Lincoln Middle School and graduated from Washington High School. She then studied to become a secretary at The Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina.
She married the love of her life, Jack Gene Shannon, on October 11, 1953. Together they shared 60 years of marriage and raised their seven children. Their home and family were the center of Barbara’s life.
When Jack became permanently disabled by a back injury while working—an injury believed to have stemmed from his years as a U.S. Army airborne trooper in the Korean War, Barbara returned to the workforce at age 42 at Schwan’s Company, where she worked on the Tony’s Pizza production line until her retirement after 20 years in 1995.
Barbara was a dedicated homemaker, and her home and family were at the center of her life. She was known for her fried chicken Sunday dinners and for making cakes in each family member’s favorite variety. She enjoyed bowling and square dancing with Jack and was also talented at the piano and violin. She began her mornings with the daily newspaper, black coffee, bacon and toast, and enjoyed spending her evenings reading fiction novels or watching Hallmark movies.
Barbara loved to travel, visiting destinations throughout the United States as well as Mexico. At age 70, she traveled solo to Okinawa, Japan, to visit family stationed there. She had an understated beauty, punctuated by bright red lipstick and an always-perfect hairdo.
Barbara had an exceptionally kind and gentle spirit. She saw the good in people and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She loved deeply, gave freely, and found her greatest joy in caring for her family and others. Her Christian faith was reflected not so much in words, but in the way she lived—with kindness, grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love for others. She simply lived the values she believed.
Barbara is survived by her daughters Cathy (Mike) McMahon, Crystal (Terry) Vanover, Candy (Gary) Komp, and Tina (Jeffrey) Bishop; her son, Danny (Tina) Shannon; and son-in-law Rick Olson.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Zach (Tess) McMahon, Joseph McMahon, April Coburn (John), Tyler Vanover, Jake Olson, Katie Olson, Amy Huyer (Gershom), Tom Komp, Jordon (Erinn) Komp, Ethan (Megan) Komp, JJ Taylor, Courtney Shannon, Luke Shannon, Mitchell (Emily) Bishop, and Christopher (Genevieve) Bishop; as well as her 18 great-grandchildren and extended family and friends who were blessed to know her and love her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jack Gene Shannon; her daughter, Connie Olson; her son, Matthew Shannon; her parents, Walter Soderberg and Nellie Ellison Reed; her sister, Gloria Ash; and her brother, David Soderberg.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Salina on Friday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Salina. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to gather for lunch and a time of fellowship in the Roselawn Meeting Room.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or The Salvation Army Central Region, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.
Barbara would have celebrated her 94th birthday in September. She leaves behind far more than the record of her years; she also leaves a family shaped by her love, a lifetime of kindness given to others, and an example of faith and goodness that will continue through the generations that follow her.
Her son Danny perhaps said it best when describing why his mother was his hero:
“You mean the world to everyone. I am, to this day, still eating the carrot cake, from your recipe (that you received from Aunt Margaret), that you always made for me from scratch each and every year. You sacrificed so much and expected so little.” – Danny