Denny Shepherd
May 18, 1940 ~ February 6, 2021
Dennis 'Denny' Shepherd, 80, of Manchester, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Private Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Hiawatha. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, February 11, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services with a Rosary Service beginning at 7 p.m. Burial with Military Honors: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Friends and extended family are invited to watch the Mass via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Dennis's tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family.
Survivors include his son, Matthew (Elizabeth) Shepherd; grandchildren, Addison, Jayden, and Madalyn; former spouse, Margaret 'Meg' O'Neil; many nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends.
Dennis Charles Shepherd was born May 18, 1940, in Genoa, Wisconsin, to Roscoe and Beatrice (Gilardi) Shepherd. He grew up in Lansing, Iowa, and joined the Marines in 1961, honorably serving until 1966. He married Margaret O'Neill in 1970 and they had one son. They later divorced. Dennis began working for Interstate Power and Light (later becoming Alliant Energy) as a Control Room Operator from 1973 until his retirement in 2001. Dennis and his son, Matt, enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, target shooting, and fishing on the Mississippi River in the bass boat. He was a member of the NRA for many years. Dennis and Matt raised calves on their hobby farm acreage which also included a pony and chickens. He also enjoyed collecting coins, watching Westerns and EWTN as well as reading, especially on topics such as history, the Catholic faith, politics, and biographies. Dennis was a devout Catholic and faithful man who had Devotion to Mary. He was a rather quiet and reserved person, but was kind and helpful; he contributed to causes including Relevant Radio, Wounded Warrior Project, Food for the Poor, and Divine Mercy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Roscoe Jr., Damon, Larry, Gloria, Janice, Clair Ann, and Rita.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Mercy or Food for the Poor.
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Matt and Family, Sorry, for your family’s loss! Your father so enjoyed talking about his faith 🙏 And I’m sure he’s enjoying his “New Life” in Heaven 💜 What a great legacy he has left … you with !! Sorry for your loss, Greg and Kathi Clauson 🙏💜
May Denny rest with the angels and look down upon you and your family Matt. Denny raised an honorable son and his legacy lives on through you.
The Shepherd family lost a wonderful, devout, and loving man. We will forever have a hole in our hearts with the loss. Gary, Krista (Shepherd), Jeffrey, and Halle Kolling
In our hearts forever. Love, Judy Shepherd, The Morris’ (Deanne, Mark, Mike, & Kaighleigh), and The Kolling’s (Krista, Gary, Jeffrey & Halle)
To the Shepherd Family, so sorry for the loss of Denny.
Much love from the Tom ONeill family – Tom, Shawn, Nicolette, Serina, Luke, Jenny, Finn and Reid.
Matt and family, we are so sorry for your loss of an amazing man. Continued prayers during this difficult time. Love David and Deb Dzunda
Denny and I were friends for years – lived just around the corner from each other for our entire time in Lansing. He had a heart for God, family and needy people. He promised to pray for me always, and I have no doubt that he did. Now I pray he has been welcomed to the arms of God. I am so sorry for Matthew and his wife and family. Denny spoke of them every time we talked. May God comfort all of you and give you the gift of beautiful memories. Pat Aschom
I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful soul as part of my family. I will forever cherish my memories of those times we spent together over the years; the happy as well as the sad. He was a kind man and a wonderful uncle. May God keep him blanketed in the warmth of His light.
In loving memory of my wonderful uncle.