Eileen Minnie (Beck) Shannon

Eileen Minnie (Beck) Shannon, aged 96, went home to her Lord May 22, 2018, surrounded by loving family. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at noon at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairfield, Montana, Pastor Jessie Obrecht presiding.

Eileen was born September 22, 1921, to Anton and Clara Beck in Power, Montana, the fourth of five children and only daughter. She attended Beck School and Power High School, where she graduated as valedictorian at the age of 16.

Power was also where she met the love of her life, Martin Shannon. They were married January 7, 1941. After a short try at gold mining in Garnet, they moved to the Greenfield Bench to farm, eventually starting a dairy farm. In 1946, Mart contracted polio, which left Eileen to manage the farm alone for some time, along with raising three children and her work in the home. In 1960, they moved to Fairfield and opened Shannons Clothing Store. Eileen was a full business partner with her husband. After they sold the store and retired, Eileen went to work as a cook for Fairfield Public Schools and later for the Senior Citizen Center. She was known throughout the area, and especially within her family, as an excellent cook.

Eileen loved gardening and passed her green thumb onto all of her children. Often the bounty of her very large garden was shared with neighbors and friends. She also quilted at Grace Lutheran Church, making quilts for World Relief. She was a devoted student of the Bible and a “prayer warrior,” especially for her family.

She worked diligently at everything she undertook.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her brothers Melvin, Tony, and Arnold.

She is survived by her brother Arwin of Nampa, Idaho; four children and their spouses: Lyle and Judy Shannon, Fairfield; Lee and Alice Shannon, Denver; Marlene and Nick Konen, Fairfield; and Susanne and Ross Whelchel, Butte; nine grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Her large and loving family was one of her greatest blessings.

Memorials are suggested to Grace Lutheran Church in Fairfield; Front Range Assisted Living in Fairfield; or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Eileen lived her life by a favorite Bible passage from Matthew, Chapter 7:  Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.

Loving and accepting others is the best tribute one could give to Eileen.

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