Roy Eugene Shephard

Roy Eugene Shephard, beloved husband, father & great guy, age 88, passed away December 12, 2021 at his home in Mankato, Minnesota.

Roy was born September 10, 1933 to Lemerne and Wendall Shephard in Tomah, Wisconsin and spent much of his youth in Winnebago Minnesota where he excelled at sports of all kinds.   After high school Roy enlisted and served in the Army in the Korean War.  He patrolled the neutral zone almost daily and would tell stories watching the North Koreans watch him.   He fondly remembered the other soldiers in his unit and the time they had together was always special to Roy.

Once he returned from Korea, Roy completed his education at the University of Minnesota.  He became a Golden Gopher during those years and has never stopped cheering for them.  PJ Fleck brought our Dad great joy as the Gophers started to turn around a stagnate football program.  He was once a Gopher and always will be a Gopher.

On a visit home for his 23rd birthday his father, Wendell Shephard, told him:  "You’re 23 years old now its about time you get married".   That evening he attended the Winnebago basketball game and met the prettiest girl he ever saw taking tickets.  Rosemary Landherr was this girl and she was working in Winnebago as a teacher.  Roy and Rosemary were married in Adams, Minnesota on August 10, 1957. To Roy, Rosemary was always the prettiest girl in the room, for every year of the 63 years of their marriage.

After graduation, Roy was employed at the old downtown Red Owl in Mankato, soon he transitioned to sales becoming a Fuller Brush man.   During a call to sell brushes he met Otitis Riech, who was the district manager for Allstate.  He quickly recruited him and Roy traded driving his Simca around Mankato to manning the booth at Sears and Roebuck for Allstate. He retired in June of 2000 with over 30 years of service.  He and Rosemary made their home in Mankato and were faithful members of St. Peter and Paul’s Parrish.  Roy and Rosemary enjoyed long car trips for summer vacations that became good memories for their children. Roy enjoyed spending time with family, Minnesota Gopher football, Vikings football and every summer evening listening to the Twins play baseball on WCCO.

Roy was preceded in death by his spouse, Rosemary and older sister, Patsy. He leaves behind his children – Sue Matthews (Rick), Patrick Shephard (Bea), Doug Shephard (Regina) and Megan Ries (Jason). He has 12 grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held on December 30, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Visitation will be December 29 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary with a rosary starting at 4:00 p.m.  Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to VINE or SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.