Jacquelyn Jean Shanks

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Jean (Schwanbeck) Shanks, 74, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Lake Forest Hospital after a long battle with cancer. She was born June 3, 1950, to Clayton “Swanny” Schwanbeck and Eugenia “Jean” (Kulack) Schwanbeck. Jackie graduated from Antioch High School in 1969, and married Arnold Shanks in 1970.

Jackie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Arnold; their sons, Mike (Candy) Shanks, Paul (Renee) Shanks, and Peter (Sarah) Shanks; her grandchildren Cari, Ben, Riley, Regan and Aiden; her sister Chris (Jim) Aronson; her sister-in-law Donna Schwanbeck; her brothers-in-law Roger (Barbara) Shanks, David Shanks, and Earl (Evis) Shanks; and her many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Mitch Schwanbeck.

Jackie and Arnold raised their three sons on their farm in Garden Prairie. Jackie was an active member of McHenry County Homemakers Club, serving as the club treasurer for many years. She was a volunteer CCD teacher at Sacred Heart Church and loved the first-grade students. She also volunteered as a 4-H leader when her boys were young. Jackie’s most treasured memories are of times with family at the up north cabin on Butternut Lake. Of all her roles, the one she adored the most was “Grandma”. Jackie took an active role in her grandchildren’s lives and was always available to pick up grandkids from school and brought lots of snacks with her. She was the kind of grandma that would get on the floor and play whatever game her grandchildren wanted. She will be greatly missed by everyone who loved her.

Jackie’s life will be celebrated and honored at Sacred Heart Church, 323 N. Taylor St., Marengo, IL on Thursday, June 20th at 10 am, followed by burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Marengo, IL. Donations can be made to Jackie‘s favorite charity, St. Jude's Children’s Hospital.