Obituary of Laurie Eash

Laurie Eash, age 63, of Solon, IA, died suddenly from a heart attack on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Minneapolis, MN, while visiting her grandchildren. Laurie Lee Shellenberger was born June 12, 1953, in Storm Lake, IA, the daughter of Robert and Dorothy (Dinges) Shellenberger. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1971. Laurie married David Eash in 1972, and they have two children Josh (Jill Bjorholm) and Ezra (Angie Bonnell) Eash both of Minneapolis, MN. She has three wonderful grandchildren that she loved dearly, Soren and Levi Bjorholm and Indra Eash. Laurie was preceded in death by her loving parents Robert and Dorothy Shellenberger. Laurie loved life and cherished her family and friends above all else, especially children. She had a huge heart that extended to, and deeply touched, all who had the good fortune to know her. She was a humble woman with a heart filled with love, determination, humor, and compassion. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Laurie loved nature, gardening, flowers, birds, watching deer in the yard, walks in the woods, agate hunting along the shores of Lake Superior, reading, laughing and having fun. She is remembered as a loving sister, wife, mother, and grandmother; for her genuine smile and laughter; and for the loving kindness she gave to all. She had the amazing gift of making people she met feel like they were the most special person in the world. She was a hardworking woman with an incredibly positive attitude; her energy and love seemed endless. Laurie worked as a teacher's associate for the Iowa City School District in the preschool, kindergarten, severe and profound, and autistic classes, and for several years at the New Pioneer Food Co-op. She loved to work with children. She volunteered at the Solon Community Food Pantry since its opening. Laurie is sister to Rose Ann (Gene) Steenhoek of Northfield, MN; Mary (Lewis) Jolly of Urbandale, IA; Frank (Brent) Shellenberger of Des Moines, IA; Anne (Bill) Gray of Des Moines, IA; Marty Shellenberger (Guei Yon Sun) of Nemaha, IA; and Karen (Mike) Miller of Coon Rapids, IA; daughter-in-law to Sandy (Jerry) Hanson of Solon, IA; Harry (Ro) Little of Grants, NM; and Jim (Sharon) Eash of Iowa City, IA; and sister-in-law to Duane (Georgia) Eash of Mt Vernon, IA; Matt Eash of Iowa City, IA; Kathy (Eric Baker) Gronvold of Boise, ID; John (Diana) Little of Taylor, AZ; and Joyce Armijo of Albuquerque, NM; and honorary mother/grandmother to Seth, Wendy, Sam, Tage, and Ada Zimmermann. A celebration of Laurie's life will take place on April 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Celebration Farm on Hwy 1, about 4 miles north of Iowa City. The family is grateful for the condolences, but declines flowers. Any donations will be made to a children's charity and can be sent to David Eash, 2350 Sugar Bottom Rd NE, Solon, IA 52333.