Maude Edith (Bjorklun) Michael-Shannep Obituary

Phillips County Colorado

Maude Edith (Bjorklun) Michael-Shannep 

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, CO, March 27, 1997 

Maude Edith Bjorklun Michael Shannep of Holyoke was born July 7, 1903 in the family home to August and Belle Woodhams Bjorklun. She passed away Saturday, March 22, 1997 at Prairie Vista Care Center in Holyoke. 

Maude grew to womanhood in the family home. After graduating from the eighth grade, she worked for several neighbors and cared for some of the families who were stricken by the flu epidemic in 1918. 

On September 15, 1921, Maude married George F. Michael in Holyoke. George worked for others until Alfred Bergland offered him 80 acres to farm and a house to live in near the Fairfield Church. Their eldest son, Oscar, was born in this house. In 1925, Maude's father helped them build a home 1/4 mile east of the Fairfield Store on some of his land. The second son, Glen, was born in this home. A third son, Leonard, was born in Haxtun. The family enjoyed a life of farming. 

In August of 1941, George died at the age of 39. Oscar was out of school, so Maude and he, with the help of Glen and Leonard and the encouraging assistance of neighbors, kept the farm going. 

On March 7, 1946, Maude married True Shannep. With this marriage she gained a daughter, Inez Shannep Dee, and another son, Gene Shannep. True and Maude spent a happy 15 years farming east of Haxtun. They enjoyed several trips and almost constant family visiting. 

Aside from working hard, Maude was a very socializing person. She was active in the Fairfield Church, the church's Covenant Women's group, Haxtun Hospital Auxiliary, the Red Cross, worked several years as a hospital Gray Lady volunteer and enjoyed several other activities. 

After True's death in 1961, Maude made her home on the farm until she moved to Haxtun in 1965. Her family remembers her as a fun loving, disciplining, caring, worshipping, sincere and privately praying mother and grandmother. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, two husbands, step-son Gene Shannep, sister Mabel Bjorklun Jensen and brothers Lloyd, John and Lawrence Bjorklun. 

Survivors include sons Oscar and wife Norma, Glen and wife Eva and Leonard and wife Donna; step-daughter Inez Dee and husband Henry; step-daughter-in-law Jodelle Shannep; brother Frank Bjorklun; and grandchildren George, Evan and Dean Michael and Ardis Fowler, Leroy and Jeff Michael and Marilyn Dirks, Brad Michael and Vicki Slater, Rob and Barry Dee and Tammy Snider, Doug Shannep and Judy McKeeman. The families of these 14 grandchildren include 30 great grandchildren. 

Services were scheduled for Thursday, March 27 at Fairfield Covenant Church.