Rita Dolores Shannahan

Williamsburg-Rita Dolores Shannahan was born February 9, 1944 in Iowa City, Iowa the daughter of Raymond and Dolores (Buline) Cole. She graduated from Solon High School in 1962. Rita was united in marriage to Emmett Shannahan on June 4, 1966 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City. She was a homemaker and worked as a housekeeper for 19 years at Best Western and then Hillcrest Motel. Later she worked as a real estate agent 20 years--first for Dick Davin Real Estate and most recently for Phillips Real Estate Group. Rita enjoyed attending her grandchildren's school events. She also liked cooking and gardening especially roses. She loved all animals--her cat, Tinker, being her current favorite. She was a big Hawkeye fan and she loved her trip to the Rose Bowl in 2016.

She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg and a former member of St. Michael's in Holbrook where she had been active with the altar and rosary along with catechism teacher. She was active with Friends of Old St. Michael's and the Iowa City Area Association of Realtors. Rita passed away with her family by her side on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Windmill Manor in Coralville at the age of 74.

She is survived by her husband, Emmett of Williamsburg; a son, Mark (Annette) Shannahan of Parnell; a daughter, Dawn Shannahan of Anamosa; four grandchildren, Chris Spicer, Kailey Shannahan, Leah Shannahan and Megan Shannahan; a sister, Patricia (Charles) Landuyt of Solon and a brother, Raymond (Phyllis) Cole of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois along with a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.


Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Holbrook. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg where there will be a prayer service at 4:00 pm. Memorial are for Holden's Comprehensive Cancer Center, Friends of Old St. Michael's or American Diabetes Association. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.