Elgene Shea

Elgene Gonnerman Shea, 74, of Des Moines, died Sunday, February 13, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Hazel Elgene Kurtz Gonnerman Shea was born on December 6, 1936, the daughter of Floyd and Hazel (Anderson) Kurtz, in Waterloo, IA. She attended schools in Waterloo and Mason City, IA. In 1953, as a junior, Elgene was selected as the All-State soprano soloist for the Iowa All-State Chorus. The Iowa All State Concert was held at the old KRNT Theater under the direction of Weston Noble (former Luther College Choir director).

After graduating from Mason City High School in 1955, Elgene attended Drake University graduating in 1959 with majors in church music, voice, and piano. She was a member of the Delta Zeta and Mu Phi Epsilon Sororities. In 1957, while still in college, she married David Gonnerman, a teacher at Roosevelt High School. They had two children, Eric and Pam. She sang in the “mid-America Chorale” in Des Moines. In 1967 the family moved to Cedar Rapids, IA where David became head of the Kirkwood Community College Social Science Department. David died in 1970.

Throughout the years Elgene directed church choirs in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. She taught voice and piano lessons and was an inspiration to her students. She received her Master’s Degree in Vocal Music from the University of Iowa in 1973. She taught music and directed the Kirkwood Community College choir and was a former member of the Cedar Rapids Library Board and Beethoven Club.

Elgene and Timothy Shea were married December 28, 1974. In addition to Eric and Pam, they had two daughters, Clancy and Meaghan. Elgene loved her family and friends and they adored her. Her seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Elgene was involved in many area clubs and organizations. She was instrumental in co-creating the Easter Seals of Iowa Stroke Club and wrote for its newsletter. She was a proud and active member of the Daughters of Norway, the Iowa Democratic Party and she lived by the wisdom she found in over 32 years in Al-Anon.

Those left to cherish her memory are husband, Tim (TJ); two daughters: PamVislisel and husband, Tim, of Central City, IA; Meaghan Shea-Evans and husband, Cal, Logan, IA. Elgene is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Joe Vislisel, Central City, IA; Daniel Vislisel (Kim), San Diego, CA; Cassidy Vislisel, Cedar Falls; and Timmy Vislisel, Central City, IA; Koleson, Rylee, and Kaitlyn Evans, Logan, IA; three great-grandchildren, Angel, Julian, and Titus Vislisel, Cedar Rapids, IA.; one sister, Jo Stensaas (Don), Boise, ID; and one brother, Marty Kurtz (Sarah), Davenport, IA; and many loving relatives: Uncle LeRoy and Aunt Marilyn Anderson, Sun City, AZ; cousins, nieces and nephews in Iowa, Minnesota, Alaska, Florida, Oregon, Idaho, and Texas. Lifelong friends Florence Buhr of Des Moines, Sarann Slattery of St. Paul, Dee Collins of Virginia, Margaret Grant of Anamosa and Kae Coppock of Des Moines and many other friends, new and old.

Elgene was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Clancy Shea; and a son Eric Gonnerman.

A visitation will take place from 5:00-7:00 PM Friday evening at Hamilton Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Avenue.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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