Paul Arnold Shea

Paul Shea, 87, of Marcus, IA, passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus with Father William McCarthy officiating, Father Eugene Murray concelebrating and Deacon Jerry Bertrand assisting.  Burial will follow at Holy Name Cemetery in Marcus, IA.  Graveside military honors will be conducted by American Legion F.I. Goodburn Post #517 of Marcus.  Visitation with family present will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, there will be a vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church in Marcus.  Visitation will resume 1 hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church.  Masks and social distancing will be required.  If you are unable to attend, the funeral will be live-streamed at www.fischfh.com.

Paul was born on April 8, 1933 to Laurence and Martha (Galles) Shea, and grew up on the family farm south of Remsen, IA. He attended Union Consolidated High School, graduating in 1951.

He married Shirley Schuttpelz May 25, 1955 at Holy Name Church in Marcus. Paul served in the U.S. Army from December 1954 to December 1956. While in the service, he was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. 

After Paul’s honorable discharge, he farmed south of Marcus, and worked at Caswell’s in Cherokee. Paul, Shirley, and family moved to Marcus in December 1967. Paul continued to farm until 1973, and started working as a plumber at Marcus Lumber. After his employment there, Paul worked as the head custodian at Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community Schools in Marcus until his retirement. 

Paul enjoyed fishing, making rosaries, coin collecting, and making candy and pies for family and friends. He loved to garden (always the farmer), and enjoyed sharing his harvest with others. Paul always had time to care for animals, even the strays.  Paul was proud of his Irish heritage, and family was important to him. 

Paul was a member of Holy Name Parish in Marcus for many years.  

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Shea of Marcus, their daughters, YeVonne (Bill) Loutsch of Oyens, Vicky (Kenny) Bolton of LeMars, Lisa (Roger) Fischer of Granville; seven grandchildren, Becky Loutsch (Aaron Walloch), Megan McHenry, James (Trish) Loutsch, Kevin (Janelle) Bolton, Sherri Bolton (Grant Eason), Brandon (Stacy) Fischer, Erin Fischer (Corey Shearer); eleven great-grandchildren, Nik, Tony, and Zach McHenry, Riley and Harper Loutsch, Brayden, Brooklyn, and Brenna Bolton, Calvin and Keegan Fischer, Camden Shearer, his brother-in-laws, Clyde Schuttpelz, Stan (Jan) Schuttpelz; sister-in-law, Darlene Roberson, several nieces and nephews. 

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gerald (Velva), Walter (Theresa), Omer (Bev), and Larry (Arlene) Shea, and sisters Elaine (William) Sanow, Clara (Jim) Kayser, Lois Pedersen, Carol Schuttpelz. 

Paul has left a legacy that values honesty, work ethic, and family.“Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Casket bearers will be Becky Loutsch, Megan Loutsch, James Loutsch, Kevin Bolton, Sherri Bolton, Brandon Fischer, Erin Fischer and Pat Schuttpelz.