Esther Jeane (Hayes) Shanks, 90, of Auburn passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. She was born on June 8, 1924, the youngest of seven children to Cyrus Crayton and Maude (Clover) Hayes on the family farm near Glen Rock, NE.
She attended Glen Rock school and graduated from Brock High School. Jeane earned her teaching degree from Peru State College and taught school at Brock and Nemaha in her younger years, and also served as a teacher’s aide at Southeast Nebraska Consolidated Schools in Stella.
On April 22, 1944, Jeane was united in marriage to Robert B. Shanks, Jr. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. They made their home near Stella, and were blessed with three children: Marilyn, Bill, and Raymond. Mostly, though, she was a homemaker and partner with her husband on the diversified family farm.
As a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, Jeane often helped with church activities. She enjoyed bowling, cooking and canning. Her family always came first, however. Jeane served as a caregiver for two brothers and a sister, of course took care of her children, and helped her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As long as her health allowed, she followed her family’s activities in sports and other areas.
Robert died in a car accident in 1983 and Jeane lived on the farm for five years, before moving into Stella. She eventually became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society – Auburn.
In addition to her husband, Robert, Jeane was preceded in death by her siblings, A.C. “Bunk” Hayes, Gladys Nelson, Helen Majors, Nathan Hayes, Llyod Hayes, and Mabel Hayes, and great-grandchildren Millie and Jed Findlay.
Jeane is survived by her children and their spouses, Marilyn (Jim) Findlay, Bill (Bonnie) Shanks, all of Stella, Raymond (Robin) Shanks, of Aurora; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jerry Beem, of Falls City, and Shirley Wilberger, of Auburn; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A funeral service was held Sunday, June 7, 2015 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, with Rev. Ken Miller officiating. Donna Caspers was accompanist for solos by Tim Shanks and congregational songs. Casket bearers were grandchildren, Jeff Findlay, Tim Shanks, Todd Shanks, Julie Lambert, Jenny Black, Janelle Knippelmeyer, Terri Wusk, Shelly Doehring, Zac Shanks and Alex Shanks.
Honorary bearers were great-grandchildren, John Lambert, Josh Lambert, Jocelyn Lambert, Natalie Knippelmeyer, Kasie Knippelmeyer, Taylor Black, Garrett Black, Elle Findlay, Jack Findlay, Hayden Findlay, Brendan Shanks, Riley Shanks, Tyler Shanks, Kellan Wusk, A.J. Wusk, Jordan Shanks, Suzanna Shanks, Robert Shanks, and Liam Shanks.
Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.