Obituaries

August 30, 1946 to July 7, 2018

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. - Brenda C. Shank, 71, of Casa Grande, Ariz., died Saturday, July 7, in Casa Grande.

She was born Aug. 30, 1946, in Winamac, a daughter of the late Neal and Bonnie Hiatt. She was raised in Star City. In her youth, she was a championship baton twirler, winning many awards, marching in parades, and teaching younger girls. She was very active in 4-H and was 4-H Queen in 1964. On June 21, 1969, she married Nicholas R. Shank in Winamac, and for 49 years they lived in Winamac, Rochester and Casa Grande. He survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Paige Shank and Cindy Clark; two sons, Nicholas R. Shank Jr. and Samuel Shank; a brother, Herb Hiatt; and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Heather Shank; a brother, Dale Hiatt; and her first husband, Randall J. Nightingale (lost in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Viet Nam War).

Mrs. Shank was co-owner of Shank's Ladies Store in Winamac for 20 years, provided child daycare in her home for 10 years, and was director of religious education at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Winamac. Upon moving to Rochester, she sold advertising for the Rochester Sentinel and was director of religious education for St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She retired with her husband to Casa Grande in 2008 and was a charter member of Catholic Daughters of America, St. Anthony's Court in Casa Grande. She founded Brenda's Backpacks to distribute items through St. Vincent de Paul to the homeless, to be continued by Catholic Daughters. (Brenda's Backpacks also has a branch in the Toledo, OH area started by her daughter, Cindy.) She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Visitation will begin at 3 p.m., Monday, July 16, at St. Anthony's Church, with rosary recited at 3:30 and a funeral mass celebrated at 4 p.m. by the Rev. Ariel Lustan. A reception will follow at St. Anthony Community Center.

A celebration of life service will be held in Winamac at Church of the Heartland at 12 noon, Saturday, July 28; followed by some Pizza King pizza.

Private burial will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery, Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to: Catholic Daughters Court 2651, 1110 N. Henness Road, No. 1272, Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

Angels in Waiting Cremation & Burial, Casa Grande, is in charge of arrangements.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac.