Inge Edith Shannon

Born: August 16, 1934 in Berlin, Germany

Died: March 22, 2025 in Chandler, Arizona; aged 90 years old

Born to Hildegarde Annemarie (Nietsch) Lehmann and Hans Arthur Lehmann

Inge’s younger years were spent in Berlin, with beloved Summer vacations on the Baltic Sea, surrounded by family. These were happy times for her before her parents divorce and World War II. She lived for many years with her maternal grandparents as her Mother had to work very hard to make a living for them after the divorce. World War II and the subsequent bombings of Berlin was a horrible, fearful time and Inge was sent away to East Prussia, as were many of the children of Berlin, to help protect them from the bombings. She was alone and very afraid and this time left a deep scar for her. Her Mother came to get her eventually, deciding that they would live or die together. The separation was a difficult time for them both. They remained in Berlin until after the War and the Berlin Airlift, which brought much needed food and supplies to the surviving and starving citizens of Berlin. She and her family survived unspeakable hardships during the War. Despite this, Inge grew to become a sweet-natured, kind and loving woman.

She was brought to the United States at age 14, after her Mother married an American Army Sergeant that she met in Berlin after the War. They first lived outside of Alexandria, Virginia and later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. She graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1953. She met her future husband, Carl Dean Shannon, at a family wedding; turns out her best friend in high school was Carl’s niece! Carl and Inge (called Corky by family) eloped and got married in Raton, New Mexico: she was 18 and he was 22. Carl died at age 89 in 2020. They were married in 1953 and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary together.

Carl and Inge had 4 children: Debbie Shannon (died soon after birth), Terry Lee Shannon, Mark Dean Shannon and Laurie Jean Shannon. The family lived in Commerce City, Colorado for many years, moving to Phoenix, Arizona in 1973, as Carl was transferred there with his job for Western Electric. Phoenix became everyone’s home base.

Inge was an excellent cook, always saying she hadn’t been taught much by her Mother, so cooked by how things tasted. Many times she told her children that after her experiences in the War, all she ever wanted was to have a home and a family. She loved her family dearly. She could sew and crochet, was a gifted cook and there wasn’t any plant that wouldn’t thrive under her care. She loved all things in nature: plants and flowers, scenery, birds and animals. She loved the ocean and walking the beach. “The Linger Lane Sunset” was one of her favorite things. Inge loved to play cards and games and after Carl died, playing games with her friends at Robson, the assisted living apartments where she lived, was a fun and important activity.

She died peacefully on March 22, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was the rock of our family and we all loved her very much.

She is survived by her 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren.

Terry Shannon Thomas (Rick): sons Miles Thomas, Richard (Elizabeth) Thomas and their 4 children, William, Charles, Augusta, and Julia. Mark Dean Shannon (Diane): Louis and Alex Shannon, Jamie Eyler (sons Elliott and Adam) and Mike (Alicia) Eyler and their son, Parker. Laurie Jean Sebring (Robert): Bryan (Christina) Sebring, David (Christina) Sebring and their son Trevor and Jennifer Soare (Claudiu) and their 4 children, Filip, Matias, Rebeca and Sami.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248. Memorial and a luncheon will start at 11:00. Private immediate family inurnment will follow at 1:00.