Shannon Blanchard, 62, passed peacefully at his home in the loving arms of his wife Jane, on November 18, 2021 after decades of perseverance since surviving–against-all-odds–a disabling stroke 23 years ago.
Shannon was born on December 1, 1958 to the late Ken Blanchard and Betty Kittle in the state of Minnesota. Shannon married Jane (Bushman) on November 12, 1983–celebrating 38 years of love and marriage just the weekend before he died. Shannon grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Wisconsin where he graduated from Iola- Scandinavia High School in 1977. Shannon joined the Air Force, and then worked as a carpenter and for the EJ Eastern Railroad. His career then took off in Manufacturing Management at the Waupaca Foundry until he had his stroke. Prior to his work in manufacturing coming to an end, he and his wife owned and operated Happy Daze Restaurant in Ellis, WI which was then converted into the Adult Family Care home. Shannon was crucial with the care of residents of Divine Mercy and St. Faustina Homes as he made a point to spread compassion every single day and personally ensure that each individual felt loved. For adventure, Shannon loved ski jumping, fishing, hunting, horseshoes, shooting pool, and competitive games of sheepshead and cribbage. Family and friends of Shannon will never forget his generous and jovial spirit whenever it came to listening to and helping others. He raised and preserved fruit and garden vegetables just so he could give his harvest away to neighbors and others in need. The people of Polonia and greater community will miss his 24-hour pickles and quarts of Texas chili. It was obvious to all that Shannon put his Creator and his family and friends above all things. Before he died, Shannon insisted we give a final shout out to Orly and Norby for the fun filled drive-arounds and dependable fixer-upper work that was requested on a weekly basis–Shannon was so grateful.
Shannon is survived by his siblings: Douglas (Judy) Blanchard, Ken (Judy) Blanchard, Marge (Rick) Ertl, Orlie (Brian) Severson, and Daniel (Deb) Eckstrom, and many in-laws and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three precious pre-born babies, parents Ken Blanchard and Betty Kittle, brothers, David and Glenn Blanchard, and sister Meredith Sperling.
A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 7375 Church St, Custer, WI 54423 on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., where family will be greeting friends and relatives from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Rev. Mark Miller will officiate. The Holy Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed for his soul beginning at 10:15 a.m. Burial will be held at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations that will be strictly used to help those in need within our community. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) Online condolences may be sent buy visiting www.shudafuneral.com