Terrance "Terry" Riley Shannon

Terrance “Terry” Riley Shannon age 75 of New Hampton, IA, died Saturday, October 10, 2026, at The Highlands in Decorah, IA.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 13, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton, with Deacon Vic DeSloover presiding.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton. Visitation continues one hour before the Memorial Service at the funeral home on Friday.

Terry was born on October 24, 1950, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Paul and Frances (Riley) Shannon. He lived in Elma until 1957, when his family moved to New Hampton. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1967 at the age of 16. Having demonstrated that he was academically advanced beyond his grade level, Terry was able to skip a grade during his education.

After graduation, Terry worked in New Hampton until he was eligible to enlist in the United States Army. On June 19, 1969, he and six friends left for basic training. God was with them all, and they all returned home. Terry served in Germany for one year before requesting an assignment in Vietnam. For his bravery and valor, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. When his wife later asked why he had made that decision, he explained that history was being made and he felt he should be a part of it.

On September 18, 1971, Terry married LaVonne “Vonnie” Kramer, beginning a marriage that would last 55 years. Soon after, Terry received an early discharge from the Army to pursue his education. The couple moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where Terry attended Rochester Junior College and they made their home for two years.

Terry was employed at Sara Lee in New Hampton before beginning a career with the United States Postal Service as a city carrier. He worked in that role until his retirement in December 2007.

Prior to his retirement, Terry fulfilled a longtime dream of owning a bar. He purchased a bar in New Hampton and named it McShanny’s Irish Pub, bringing his dream to life and creating a place of his own in the community he called home.

Terry will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Vonnie, of New Hampton; his two daughters, Tori (Jeff) Ulrichs of Waukee, Iowa, and Gina (Grant) Stoughton of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and his two grandchildren, Keegan (Makenzie) Ulrichs and Griffin Stoughton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Shannon; his brother, Tom Shannon; his grandson, Caleb Ulrichs; and his in-laws, James and Rosie Kramer.