Malvory Marie Shankland, 84, died Monday, November 27, 2023 at Highland Park Care Center with her family at her side.
Malvory was born August 27, 1939 in Alliance, Nebraska to Jesse and Malvory (Zobel) Watson.
She was raised first north of Alliance and then on the family ranch on Angora Hilltop. She graduated from Bridgeport High School. Malvory married James “Jim” Shankland July 8, 1960. She considered him her best friend and they held hands as they walked or sat in their chairs to the day that she died.
They started their family on Jim’s family ranch south of Ashby in July 1960. Next moving to Alliance and then permanently to Hyannis in 1968. They raised three children Gary, Shari and Joe.
In Hyannis she worked at the Bank of Hyannis (where she started their first computer electronic banking system), Grant County Treasurer and Clerk’s Offices and retired from Dredla’s Grocery. She also spent countless hours dispatching and coordinating with crews of PREMA who Jim worked with for many years. Once Jim moved into construction she also helped him for many hours both in the shop and on building sites. She was fearless and had no issue doing finishing work or shingling houses. She even helped shingle a barn which included placing the ridge cap. She was very active in her church Swede Valley Lutheran which became Shepherd of the Hills in Hyannis. She sponsored, with Jim, the Lutheran youth group for many years.
She was the mother to many children besides her own, always welcoming everyone to her table or house. She spent many blizzards cooking for friends of her children stuck in town. She was known for providing hugs, support, and advice to many that just needed an ear or a shoulder.
She prided herself on being there for her entire family which included 30+ nieces and nephews. She spent days in hospitals supporting her family through many illnesses and injuries. She cooked multiple hundreds of cakes and cookies to give to people of the community.
Things that may not be known is that she enjoyed fast cars which included street racing in her 20’s. She was a crack shot with a pistol, was accomplished at woodworking, was a writer and penned the verses to one hymn with Pastor Lloyd Lenz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law Jeanie Shankland, sisters Betty Grant, Mary Ann Blackstone, Alice Twombly, Bonnie Egan, and Ilene Christensen, brothers George, Jesse, Dan, Bill and Jack Watson, brother-in-law’s Dick and Bob Shankland.
She is survived by her husband of 63+ years Jim Shankland of Hyannis, children Gary Shankland of Bassett, Shari Shankland Redler of Lincoln, Joe (Craig) Shankland of Denver, Colorado. Granddaughters Jayde, Malvory and Rhegan; Grandsons Payton (Zoe) and Alex, as well as great-granddaughter Cheznie.
Memorial services will be at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Hyannis on Monday December 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jonathan Oetting will officiate. The family feels that casual dress is appropriate. Interment will be at a future date with family at Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made to the Grant County Rescue in Hyannis.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
