Kathleen Shaver
July 30, 1930 - May 25, 2023

Kathleen (Kathy) Shaver, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on May 25, 2023. When asked what she wanted in her obituary, Kathy simply said, "Keep it short." To honor her request, here is the short version. She lived 92 years full of family, love, and a rich life experience that took her from growing up on an Iowa farm to being an educator where she touched many lives. She loved working with students either directly in the classroom or helping them discover their life's direction. Other than a short stint in Missouri, she lived her entire life in Iowa and was always a UNI Panther fan but also cheered for the Iowa State University Cyclones. She had four children and they all miss her. The end.

(The rest of this is for the children. Don't tell Kathy we made it so long.)

Kathy was born on July 30, 1930, in Sigourney, Iowa. She was the first child to her parents Harvey and Margaret (Goeldner) Cassens. As the family grew she was joined by her brother Charles and sisters Janice and Doris. They all worked hard on a farmstead near Sigourney where life was full of family values and community. They grew up without electricity or running water and the children walked or rode horseback to a one-room schoolhouse. Kathy and her mom were both accomplished seamstresses and sewed the family's clothes. Cloth to make their clothing was sourced from feed sacks -- each child chose a pattern at the feed store and a typical garment required four sacks.

At the young age of 17 she attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) for her teaching degree. Money was limited so she worked hard to pay for her own school. She worked for two summers at the YMCA Camp in Estes Park, Colorado, which sparked her lifelong love of Colorado. She was proud to be the first in her family to graduate from college.

In 1952, Chuck Shaver, who was a friend of her brother, proposed to her under a large maple tree. Kathy had to think about the marriage proposal for a bit - ultimately a flat tire on her car convinced her that having Chuck around could be a helpful addition to her life. They were married on June 21, 1953, and Kathy wore a wedding dress she designed and sewed herself. As it would turn out, Kathy made a wise decision to marry Chuck as she never changed another tire. Together they made their home in various places around Iowa that were consistently within ten miles of Highway 30. She spent the last 52 years in Ames with a short stretch working in Missouri.

Kathy had numerous jobs that were all associated with education. She earned her Batchlor's Degree in Home Economics and Business Education from Iowa State University (ISU). She taught business, home economics, and math in several Iowa public school districts and worked at ISU in a variety of positions. In her 50s, she went back to ISU to earn a second Master's Degree in Higher Education.

The twilight of her career was her favorite where she focused on student academic advising both at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, and in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ISU. She enjoyed helping students plan their educational direction and careers. In her retirement she enjoyed serving others at her church, as a foster grandmother at Kate Mitchell Elementary School, baking, cooking, sending flowers and cards, and spending time with her family.

Chuck and Kathy were deeply family-oriented and raised four children. Both parents provided unwavering support for all of their children's impassioned activities: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA Indian Princesses, 4-H, sports, music, and much more.

Kathy was most proud that each of her children found meaningful careers in their unique interests. Kathy and Chuck's involvement and guidance in their children's lives allowed all of the children to become productive community members and contributing citizens. Kathy was especially proud of this outcome.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her siblings. She was indeed the last one standing and stoic to the end. Left to remember a life well lived are her children: Charles (Molly) Shaver of Montrose, Colorado; Sally (Paul) Shaver DuBois of Kelley, Iowa; Mary (Joss) Walter of Sandy, Utah; Dave (Judy) Shaver of Telluride, Colorado; her grandchildren: Joslyn (Alex) Ferrada of Brisbane, Australia; Andrea (Andrew) Carpenter of Denver, Colorado; Rachel (Richard) McCoy of Denver, Colorado; Madyson (Spencer) Walter-Fayles of Tacoma, Washington; Claire Shaver of Denver, Colorado; and great-granddaughter Charlotte McCoy of Denver, Colorado. She will also be missed by her numerous nieces, nephews, brother-in-law, sisters in-law, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 2 from 4-6pm at Grandon Funeral Home in Ames, IA. Kathy will be reunited with her husband Chuck and laid to rest in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sigourney, Iowa, on Saturday, June 3 at 3pm. Arrangements are under the care of the Grandon Funeral Home in Ames, Iowa.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11am at Calvary United Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa with lunch to follow (lunch location TBD). They hope friends and family will gather to remember Kathy through music, stories, and scripture.

Kathy always said, "Visit me and send flowers while I'm alive because I won't be able to enjoy the people or blooms at my funeral." Flowers for Kathy's services will include her favorites sourced from local gardens and arranged by her daughter-in-law Molly.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy requested that memorials be given to an educational charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com

Tributes