Francis Shaughnessy

Hastings resident, Francis "Frank" Junior Shaughnessy, 80, passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at his home.
Rosary will be Thursday, December 8, 2016; 5:00 P.M. at Butler Volland Chapel. Memorial Mass will be Friday, December 9, 2016; 10:00 A.M. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church with Father Joseph M. Walsh and Father Dennis Hanneman officiating. Burial with military rites by Hastings Veterans Organizations will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials may be given to Catholic Social Services, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or St. Cecilia's Catholic Church. There will be no viewing or visitation as Francis was cremated.

Frank was born April 29, 1936 the youngest of five children to Francis Andrew and Gertrude (Dobner) Shaughnessy in Elwood, Nebraska. In 1941, the family moved to a farm north of Bertrand, Nebraska which had been homesteaded by Frank's grandfather, Henry Dobner in 1879. Frank lived on the family farm until he graduated from Bertrand High School in 1954.

Frank attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln majoring in music education, and was a member of the Cornhusker Marching Band. He received a Bachelor's degree in music education in June, 1958. He earned a Master of Music degree in 1964, and an Administrative certificate in 1969, both from UNL. In 1958, after completion of college he was inducted into the United States Army and served with the 33rd U.S. Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany as a tuba player from March, 1959 until May, 1961.

He began teaching music at Harvard Public Schools, Harvard, Nebraska in the fall of 1961. In 1963, he took on the additional duties of high school principal. From 1971 until 1974, he was high school principal at Wilber-Clatonia High School, Wilber, Nebraska. He then served as superintendent of Trumbull Consolidated Schools from 1974 until 1998 when Trumbull merged with Doniphan Schools. He was superintendent of Amherst Public Schools in 1998-1999, after which he retired. During his 38 years as an educator, Frank was a faithful and enthusiastic supporter of school athletics and activities and rarely missed an event. He was an active advocate for small and rural schools.

Frank married Ruth Lindekugel, the love of his life on June 1, 1968. Ruth passed away in July, 2009 due to complications of ALS.

Frank was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Catholic Church, Smithfield, Nebraska. He was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Hastings since 1974, and while his health permitted he was a choir member, cantor, reader, extraordinary minister of communion, and retreat leader.

Frank's fraternal and service organizations include: Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree; 4th Degree life member, BPO Elks life member, University of Nebraska Alumni Association life member, Nebraska Schoolmasters Club, 33rd Army Band Alumni Association, Nebraska Rural Community School Association, two term President 1982-1984, Nebraska Association of Retired School Administrators, and American Legion.

Frank was an enthusiastic golfer and member of Elks Golf Club. He was a University of Nebraska football season ticket holder for over 50 years, who supported all things Big Red. He enjoyed gardening and cooking, especially outdoor grilling and cooking pasta dishes for family and friends. Most of all he enjoyed his children and grandchildren and his extended family.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth L. Shaughnessy; brothers, Harold & Richard; sisters, Ruth Cumbra & Mildred Hanneman; and brother-in-law & sisters-in-law, Vernon Hanneman, Elva Shaughnessy, Ruth Shaughnessy, and Alice Lindekugel.

SURVIVORS:
Son:
Kevin Shaughnessy - Northport, AL
Daughter & Son-in-law:
Erin & Nate Fisher - Grant, NE
Grandchildren:
Hallie Fisher
Maggie Fisher
Alexis Fisher
Brother-in-law:
Raymond Lindekugel - Imperial, NE
Numerous Nieces & Nephews