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MARK SHANAHAN Obituary

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MARK SHANAHAN

Wheatland, WY

March 30, 1949 - August 13, 2020

MARK SHANAHAN Obituary

A graveside service for Mark Shanahan, 71, will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at the Wheatland Cemetery in Wheatland, Wyoming with Pastor Chris Furl of Memorial Baptist Church in Wheatland, Wyoming officiating.

Mark Shanahan moved to heaven on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at the Platte County Legacy Home in Wheatland.

Mark was born on Wednesday, March 30, 1949 in Boulder, Colorado the son of Everett Lawrence Edward and Mary Elaine (Harvey) Shanahan.

Mark was reared and educated in Boulder and graduated high school from Boulder High School in 1968.  He attended Lamar Community College in June of 1978 and then went on to the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ag Economics in May of 1990.

He married Debra Soward on March 14, 1970 one day before she turned 18.  He was the love of her life and she was determined to marry this cowboy.  They stood hand in hand through the thick and thin for 50 years better or worse.

To this union they were blessed with two children, Melissa Chere on August 15, 1970 and Christine LeAllen on January 24, 1972.

Mark grew up in Boulder, learning and living the cowboy code.  He raised and showed Hereford cattle.  His friendships ran deep in the rodeo circles of Wyoming.

Mark’s greatest pleasure came from seeing his children being successful and happy in life.  His four grandchildren brought him a tremendous amount of joy and pride.

Mark was a helping hand to his family and friends, building and remodeling many family homes.  He was fiercely loyal, true, and honest.  He came to really know the Lord with an encounter on Tunnel Road while driving his semi. 

He was a strong farmer, rancher, and carpenter.  He took pride in having his cattle well fed.  The only recreation he knew was work, he was never a golfer or card player.  Most of the time he was working.  In his early years he rode race horses, riding Quarter Horses on brush tracks in Texas for the owner of the Foundation Q.H. King.  He also rounded up wild horses on the winter slope.  He was really a jack of all trades. 

He is survived by his wife, Debra Shanahan; daughters, Melissa (Marty Shepard) and Christine (Todd Rau); grandchildren, Casey (Maddie) Giehm, Ty Shockley, Lexis Medrano, and Katie Shockley; sister, Gloria (Don) Gapter; nephew, Jeff (Phyllis) Gapter; and niece, Dawn (Gapter) Mendoza.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett on May 31, 2006 and Mary on July 11, 2009.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Michael Tracy, Todd Rau, Casey Giehm, Jeff Gapter, Marty Shepard, Ty Shockley, Don Gapter, Jay Tracy, Russ Soward, and all of his family and many friends.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of MARK SHANAHAN hosted by Gorman Funeral Homes.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of MARK SHANAHAN.