Mary M Shinn

Mary M. Shinn
A celebration of life for longtime Lamar resident, Mary M. Shinn was held at 2:00PM on Friday, October 20, 2017 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Pastor Kristina Walker of the Lamar United Methodist Church officiating. Interment followed at the Fairmount Cemetery.

Visitation for Mary was held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 from 4:00PM until 7:00PM at the Peacock Family Chapel.

Mary Margaret Nienhuser Shinn was born on November 9, 1924 at Limon, Colorado. She was the fourth child born to Fred Ludwig and Alvina Mae Gearhardt Nienhuser. Mary passed away on October 14, 2017 at the Lamar Estates Nursing Home at the age of 92 years and 11 months.

Mary grew up living on the family ranch four miles north of Limon. She joined the Methodist Church as a young girl. Mary attended schools in Limon graduating with the class of 1943. After graduation Mary moved to Denver to find employment. She worked in a dentist office as an assistant and also in the office. Mary started taking courses in the University of Denver’s Business School at night and then went to work at Public Service Company of Colorado. She worked in several departments, working for over five years in the Safety and Claims Department. Mary made many friends in Denver and found lots of activities to participate in. Skiing was one activity that always amazed her family and friends once she came to Lamar, but Mary loved the mountains. She enjoyed trail rides and dancing at Elitch’s Trocodaro Ball Room and other Ball Rooms during the Big Band Era.

Mary met Elmer Lee Shinn when she happened to acquire a ticket to the National Western Stock Show rodeo in January of 1949 and found herself seated next to a handsome man from Lamar, Colorado. A long distance relationship culminated in marriage a year later when Mary and Lee were married at Trinity Methodist Church in Denver on January 22, 1950. After a month long honeymoon trip, they made their home in Lamar for seven years at 106 East Walnut. Mary settled into life as a homemaker and became active in the Lamar community, joining several clubs and transferring her membership to the Lamar United Methodist Church. During this time a daughter, Jacque Louise, was born in 1952.

When Lee’s parents retired in 1957, Mary, Lee and Jacque moved to the Shinn family farm in the Kornman-Alta Vista Community. Mary enjoyed the country farm life. She always enjoyed helping with the sheep they raised, and she created a huge flower garden. Mary became involved with Jacque in 4-H and served as a leader for over fifteen years. One highlight of those years was when Jacque and Mary participated in an exchange trip to Montana.

When Jacque left for college at CSU, Mary took up art as a new hobby. She enjoyed many courses and learned oil, watercolor and pastel techniques. Mary and Lee traveled after Lee retired in 1979. They enjoyed spending the winter months in Texas and made friends with other RV Snowbirds. They took several long road trips and also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Mexico and Australia.

In 1992 Mary and Lee moved to a home in Lamar. They adjusted to living in town again and created an evergreen forest in their back yard. Mary liked to take long walks and worked to have another flower garden. After Lee passed in 1999, Mary continued to enjoy her home and made more new friends and tried new activities. She continued to travel with a good friend, Pam Bugg, enjoying another trip to Alaska and trips to Canada, Florida and several Elderhostel trips.

Mary was a present or past member of the Lamar United Methodist Church, Methodist Women, Sacred Heart Hospital Auxillary, Vaqueros Saddle Club, Alta Vista Club, Zonta Club, Southeast Colorado Cowbelles, Daubers and Brush and Palette Art Clubs, Elks Ladies, Lamar Senior Center, Water Aerobics Exercise Group and several Marble Game Clubs.


Mary was preceded in death by her husband, E. Lee Shinn, her parents, Alvina and Fred Nienhuser, parents-in-law, Ethel and Carl Shinn; infant sister, Lucille, and her brothers, Donald Nienhuser and Wilbur Nienhuser. She was also preceded in death by three sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law, Marshia Nienhuser, Donald Shinn, Marjorie and Keith Rusell and Carl and Mary Jane Shinn and three nephews, Bobby Nienhuser, Kent Russell and Tom Shinn.

Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jacque and Arthur Davis of Vaughn, NM. She is survived by her grandsons; Ryan Scott Davis of Las Animas, CO, Kyle Curtis Davis and wife Ammie of Duran, NM and Ross Owen Davis and wife Alyssa of Eaton, CO. Mary is survived by three great-grandsons, Gregory Ty Arnold, Wyatt Curtis Davis and Frank Lee Davis. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Shirley and Bob Little, James and Janet Nienhuser, Carl and Elizabeth Shinn, Sharon Shinn, Ted Shinn, Wendy Shinn and Barb Baugh, Tim and Sheila Russell and Kirk and Beverley Russell, other relatives and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar United Methodist Church, Lamar Area Hospice, Lamar Estates Residence Fund or charity of one’s choice.

Services were under the direction of the Peacock Family.