Virene Mae (Knakmuhs) Shea, age 94 of Walnut Grove, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Lockwood Hospice in Marshall. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 13 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Walnut Grove. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Virene Mae (Knakmuhs) Shea was born December 11, 1928 to Paul and Effie (Jackson) Knakmuhs in Springdale Township, Redwood County. She was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Walnut Grove. In 1946, Virene graduated from the Walnut Grove High School. After her schooling, she worked at the Eat Shop Café in Tracy and then the Westbrook Egg Plant, where Virene worked for 35 years. She married Duane Shea on April 7, 1948 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Together, the couple made their home in Walnut Grove. Virene moved to Country View in September 2018. Her hobbies were gardening, playing cards and Bingo, and working puzzles. Virene loved flowers.
Virene is survived by her children: Shirley (Gary) Serie of Lake Benton, Bernie (Becky) Shea of Alexandria, and Don Shea of Oak Grove; grandchildren: Scott (Kelly) Serie, Chris (Brittany) Serie, Jennifer Shea, Crystal (Jake) Arnold, Cherie Vidrio, Tim VanDeWiele, and Sara (Robert) Atkinson; great grandchildren: Andrew, Easton, Riley, Hunter, Brayden, Mara, Beckett, Mac, Sarah, Tristan, Hailey, James, Michael, Alayah, Amerie, Abigail, Abraham, and one on the way; one great great granddaughter Evelyn Drew; sons-in-law: Bruce Fox of Marshall and Denis VanDeWiele of Katy, TX; brothers: Lloyd (Shirley) Knakmuhs of Springfield, Floyd (Ruth) Knakmuhs of Westbrook and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Duane; daughters: Nancy VanDeWiele and Barb Fox; and brothers: John, Edward, Richard, Howard and James.
