Obituary of Kenneth Shields

Kenneth Lee Shields was born July 21, 1930 at Burlington Junction, Missouri to Ralph and Lois Faye (Houston) Shields. He worked on his father’s farm and made the rodeo rounds on weekends. He loved horses and broke 67 wild mustangs for LW Long Ranch in Missouri.

Kenny took up carpentry, plumbing and electricity at 16 when his dad and uncle taught him the trades. He taught his boys, grandsons, sons-in-law, and brother-in-law carpentry, plumbing and electrician work. He owned and operated Shields Construction and built several homes and commercial building locally and all over the states.  He continued carpentry until he retired at 82 years old. He also served proudly in the Army National Guard.

Kenny was superintendent of Brownville Nuclear Plant and Richard Young Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. In Coin he was the chairman/stock contractor for Little Britches Rodeo during the 60’s.

Kenneth passed away Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Gardenview Care Center, Shenandoah, Iowa following an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Randy Shields; sisters Joyce (Sonny) Harbin, Donna Whitehill, and Rosie (Don) Cozad; infant sister Alice and infant brother; and brother-in-law Richard Beason.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years Phyllis, also of Shenandoah; children Sandra (Mike) Alexander of Blanchard, Iowa, Kenneth Ray (Jody) Shields of Miller, Nebraska, Ronald Shields (Sherry Kelley) of Sumner, Nebraska, Debra (Donald) Argo, Shenandoah, Iowa, and Pamela Sittner (Richard Showen) of Dixon, Nebraska; sister Lucille Beason of Maryville, Missouri; and brother-in-law Donald Whitehill of Elmo, Missouri and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephew and friends.

Funeral services for Kenneth Shields, 88 of Shenandoah formerly of Coin, will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, December 15 at Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel in Clarinda.

Visitation with the family will be 10 until service time. There is open visitation Friday at the Chapel.

Following the funeral the family invites everyone to a luncheon at Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel.

Interment will be at a later date at Siam Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Cards to the family may be directed to Deb Argo, 911 9th Ave, Shenandoah, IA 51601.

Walker-Merrick-Eickemeyer Funeral Chapel is providing arrangements.