Sept. 23, 1932 – Nov. 7, 2016
Richard “Dick” Shellenberg, 84, of Corning, passed away Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, at the Lenox Care Center, Lenox.
Memorial Services were 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, with the Rev. Dan Siepker officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Richard Francis Shellenberg was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Sept. 23, 1932, the eighth son to David and Bonnie (Burke) Shellenberg.
Richard attended Pierce Street Elementary School and Abraham Lincoln High School where he managed the football team and wrestled on the varsity wrestling team, graduating in 1950.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska in June, 1955. Richard then served in the U.S. Army from July 21, 1955 until July 19, 1957, doing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and then advanced training at Fort Sill, Okla., where he taught Artillery Survey.
On Oct. 1, 1955, he married Marilyn Christine Parrish whom he had met at the Council Bluffs Mardi Gras in February 1950. They made their home in Lawton, Okla., until he was discharged from the Army.
Richard taught Junior High Science and coached junior high football in Lamar, Colo., for two years. He then taught junior high science at Red Oak, for three years while working on a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Administration at the University of Omaha, graduating in June, 1962.
Richard served 33 years as an Elementary Principal; first at Corwith/Wesley/LuVerne in Kossuth County; then at Fort Calhoun, Neb., retiring from the Corning Elementary in 1995.
He loved his family, his profession, his students and the teachers. Richard was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Iowa School Administrators and Corning Rotary Club.
In his retirement, he and Marilyn enjoyed many bus tours. Richard was a Corning hospice volunteer. He built a garden railroad in the back yard and joined the Central Iowa Garden Railroad Society, making many new friends.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marilyn of 61 plus years, his children: Philip (Peggy) of Algona; Mark (Carol) of Gravois Mills, Mo.; Thomas of Wesley; Douglas of Ankeny; and Mary (El Khadir) of White Plains, N.Y.
He is also survived by grandchildren: Alishia and Richard Shellenberg; Shannon (Nate) Wadsley; Whitney (Jake Young) Shellenberg; Nickolas Shellenberg; Jamil and Samir Raghib; and a great granddaughter, Harper Lyn Wadsley.
Also surviving is a brother, Donald of Dallas, and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beth Anne Shellenberg; a grandson; Andrew Shellenberg, his parents and six brothers.
Memorials may be made in Richard’s name, to be determined. Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center was in charge of the arrangements.
On-line condolences may be left at www.pearsonfamilyfuneralhomes.com.