Obituary of Krista Diane Shannon

Krista Diane Shannon, love of John, mother of Cooper and Carson and the sunshine to all who knew her, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017, at her home, near Baldwin, Kansas.

Krista began her 43 year journey through this life on January 26, 1974 at Garnett, Kansas.  She was the first of three daughters born to Orlan William Byerley and Jeanette (Schneider) Byerley.  Krista’s love of her feline friends began at an early age; she always loved having a cat (or several) around.  Krista attended Parker Elementary School through the fifth grade.  She was always one to cherish family and friends, and made friends easily, so that group continuously grew throughout the rest of her life.  In 1985 they moved to Garnett, where she attended school at Irving before graduating from Garnett High School with the class of 1992.  While in high school Krista was a member of the Generation Singers and was a talented volleyball player.  Her high school years also spawned the creation of the not so notorious “G-Town Girls”.  Following high school she went on to play volleyball at Fort Scott Community College and  Park College, earning her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Park College.  Her college years turned many teammates and roommates into lifelong friends.  She then worked as a patrol officer for the Mission Police Department, Mission, Kansas for five years.  Krista fell into the category of a reluctant ticket writer.  As usual, Krista managed to turn a five-year job into more lifelong friends.  While attending the Police Academy, Krista met a fellow trainee, John Shannon.  They would eventually date before going on to tie the knot on July 30, 1999, at Parkville, Missouri.  In 2001, Krista and John moved to Brick, New Jersey for John’s work.  While there Krista worked as a real estate agent and then as a mortgage broker.  While in New Jersey, Krista learned to snow ski and she loved the time they were able to spend on the beach or at ski slopes.  And just like everywhere else she had been, Krista turned four years in Jersey into more lifelong friends.  They returned to Kansas in 2005, and then moved to their current home in Baldwin, Kansas in 2006.  January of 2006 brought their first son, Cooper.  In January of 2008 Krista was blessed with her best birthday present ever, their second son, Carson.  While the boys were young, Krista was able to be at home with them.  Krista was a dedicated mother to her sons, volunteering for classroom activities and parties.  She began working at the Mid-America Bank of Baldwin, in 2015.  While in Baldwin, Krista and John joined the Annunciation Church.  And just like she always did, Krista met more people in Baldwin who would become some of their closest friends.  Some of Krista’s greatest joys were times spent with her family, especially family beach trips and Ellington family lake trips.  She loved the fact that her immediate and extended family had maintained their closeness throughout life.    Krista was not one to waste an opportunity to have a good time, or share a bottle(s) of wine with friends and family.  Her greatest mission and devotion in life was her boys, nightly snuggling with them on the couch trumped anything else in her world.  After Krista was inflicted with breast cancer, neither the cancer nor subsequent treatments deterred her spirit or her optimism.  She became the valiant fighter who was an inspiration to many.  Her light will live on through the countless lives she impacted.

She was preceded in death by her father, Orlan on April 3, 2003; infant brother, Ward Orlan Byerley on January 22, 1978.

Krista is survived by her husband and sons, John, Cooper and Carson of the home; parents, Jeanette and Tim Young of Garnett; two sisters, Sara Jo, and family, Brian, Beau and Jackson Dykes and Lacy Feuerborn and daughter, Lily of Garnett; brother, Dane Byerley and family, Holly and Noah of Garnett; ten Shannon family beloved nieces and nephews; grandfather, Bob Young of Garnett; and all of her Byerley, Ellington, Young and Shannon family that she loved so dearly.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, October 27, 2017, at Annunciation Catholic Church, 740 N. 6th Street, Baldwin City, Kansas, with burial following at the Garnett Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas.  Family will greet friends from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. on Thursday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 219 S. Oak St., Garnett, Kansas.  The family has suggested that any memorial donations in Krista’s honor be made to W.I.N.G.S.  Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com