Vera Yvonne Shannon (Vonnie), age 78, of Terry passed away September 5, 2019 at Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City after a brief fight with cancer.
Vonnie was born February 4, 1941 to Alvin and Josephine Steadman in Miles City, Montana. She grew up in Sonnette and attended grade school at Mitchell school by horseback, riding two and a half miles one way each school day. She graduated high school from Powder River County High School in Broadus. After high school Vonnie attended Eastern Montana College earning a teaching degree. She taught in multiple country schools in Powder River County, including the school of her youth, Mitchell School. Here she earned the status of being the last teacher of the school, teaching only two students that year.
On June 2, 1962 Vera married Norman Shannon. They spent most of their married life in Terry, Montana moving there in 1969. Together they raised two sons, Randy and Scott. Vonnie was a teacher but had a variety of other jobs throughout her life. These jobs included; Silage truck driver, MDU meter reader and office worker, Terry Tribune worker, Courthouse worker serving as a part time secretary and took minutes for the county commissioners.
Vonnie loved the outdoors and would have rather been outside than indoors during any weather. In her youth she enjoyed competing in rodeos, including barrel racing and Rodeo Queen contests, winning the title as Rodeo Queen at least once. Vonnie enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and embroidering. She was known for making shirts for her family. Above all else Vonnie spent her life treasuring her children and grandchildren and traveling to the four corners of Montana to their sporting events. Norman and Vonnie even kept rooting for the Terry Terriers at football and basketball games even after their grandchildren had moved on. They were was also a staunch followers of 4H.
Vonnie is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, her parents, three brother-in-laws, and two sister-in-laws.
Surviving Vonnie are his sons, Randy (Aletta), Broadus, MT and Scott (Kristy), Terry, MT.; Grandchildren, Tyrel Shannon, Tell Shannon, Randee Shannon, and Travis Shannon; A special great niece also considered a granddaughter, Brandy Solo; one brother-in-law, Robert Shannon; three sister-in-laws, Kim Shannon, Betty Shannon, and Virginia Samuelson.
If desired memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
Services are currently pending and will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday December 13, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday December 14, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday December 14, 2019
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday December 13, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday December 14, 2019
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Interment
After Funeral Service
Saturday December 14, 2019
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
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Vanna says
Randy, Aletta, Tyrel & Sarah, Tell & Tyler, I’m so very very sorry to hear about Vonnie’s passing. Keep all the good memories close. May God Bless and Comfort you all.
Jenny Hickox says
I only got to know Vonnie for a short time. To know her was to love her though. We bonded in no time. Of course, our love for horses had nothing to do with it❤️ To her family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Grab hold to those memories you made with her over the years and let her live on through each of you. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all,
Jenny Hickox and family
Darlington, SC/Miles City, MT
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to all the Shannon family, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Randy and Cynde Trucano says
Sending prayers to the Shannon Family. Vonnie was both Randy and my teacher and she was a great one. Will always have a special place in our hearts
tammy schoenbeck says
OMG so sorry for your loss, Vonnie was one amazing lady
Gaylene Fortner says
We are so sorry, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gaylene and Tim Fortner
Barb and Jerry Smalis says
Memories of Vonnie’s kindness and warmth will
Be with us always. We were privileged to know her. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Ross Irene Gumm and family. says
Many happy memories of our two family’s years together! Sending prayers and love to Randy Scott and families. 💜
Bert & Nancy Stoddard says
What a kind and thoughtful lady. Sending prayers to the family.
Laurie Janssen Claypool says
Thoughts and prayers to the Shannon family! Hold onto all your memories. Hugs to you all!
Rita Wemmer says
Family of Vonnie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will so miss Vonnie, as I met her thru EMI and thought the world of her. She so loved her family and talked of all of them often. My prayers are with you always. Deepest sympathy. God’s comfort and love to all.
Walter and ArLynn Archer says
We are so sorry. May time, people’s thoughts/prayers and happier memories be with you all now and as time passes.
Kelly and Dulcy Hubbert says
So sorry for the loss of your mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
Kristy and Randy, Scott and Aletta so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. We were fortunate to have your parents as friends. Our sincere sympathy to you and your families. Hold fast to your memories.
Betty Vail says
I enjoyed serving on the EMI board with Vonnie the past few years. We always had a good visit about family and friends from Powder River County. I was stunned to hear of her diagnosis and saddened by her death. My sympathy to her family.
Vicki Sweat says
Randy, Aletta & family, so very sorry for your loss. Your in my thoughts & prayers!
SALLY A. BORLA says
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE PASSING OF YOUR MOM. I TOLD SAM AND HE SAID SHE WAS AT THE CLASS REUNION IN JULY AND SEEMED FINE. SO GLAD THEY ALL GOT TOGETHER AS WE NEVER KNOW. I HAVEN’T SEEN HER MUCH IN THE PAST YEARS BUT REMEMBER HER WELL FROM HIGH SCHOOL. GOD BLESS AND SYMPATHY TO ALL HER FAMILY.
Merlin Brown says
Randy and Scott and family’s hope you find comfort in knowing your mother is with your dad now, sure enjoyed the short time I got to spend with them.
Lynn Anderson says
Randy, Aletta and Family,
Scott, Kristy, Randee and Travis,
My heartfelt condolence for the loss of your mother and grandmother, Vonnie. She will be missed by all who knew her. May your faith give you strength during this difficult time. Love and prayers for you all!
Sherm Weimer says
Vonnie spent many years on the EMI board, the last few as board president. She was always a champion of the services we provide to individuals with disabilities, and her board leadership was invaluable. She single-handedly kept our recycling services in the Terry community going, and without her I’m not sure it would have been successful. She will be greatly missed by the board, staff, and individuals we provide services to throughout southeastern Montana. She will be in our hearts and prayers forever!
Mary Lou Merchant says
So very sorry for your loss prayers for you and your family Randy
Lissa Power says
Randy, Scott and families,
So sorry for the loss of your mother.
Sincerely,
Willis and Ardi
Ron and Ann Roberts says
So very sorry. It was nice reconnecting with Vonnie on Facebook in recent years. I will miss her. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Lyle Rogge says
Favorite teacher growing up—-Awesome field trips
Kathy Burgee McPherson says
So very sorry to hear about Vonnie. The Burgee family grew up with the Shannons and our parents were good friends of all the family. We always enjoyed visiting with Norman and Vonnie when they came to visit in Dupree. Our deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to you all for your loss.
Ruth Peck says
Randy, Scott & families, I am sorry to hear about Vonnie. She was a wonderful lady and I enjoyed working with her over the years. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Carol Everett Carroll says
I never met Vonnie in person. We met through my research on women riders of the rodeo. Traded e-mails and letters. Was so saddened to see she had passed. She was a sweet soul.