Samuel Kent Shepherd, 70, of Riverside, died peacefully at home Sunday, March 12, 2023. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m, Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Holy Family Education Center Hall in Riverside. Following the services, a time of food and fellowship will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice in memory of Samuel. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. The Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Riverside is caring for Sam’s family and arrangements.
Samuel Shepherd was born Dec. 14, 1952, in What Cheer, Iowa, to William and Ethlyn (Vandehaar) Shepherd. Sam developed his love of fishing and hunting and all things outdoors in his childhood in the What Cheer area. The family moved to Hawarden in 1963. Sam graduated from West Sioux High School in 1971.
He enlisted in the Navy and was proud to be a veteran. After completion of his Naval service, Sam attended Bemidji State University. He received a degree in art studies and enjoyed drawing, painting and carving his entire life.
After becoming a dad and grandpa, Sam shared his love of art and outdoors with his kids. Sam was always up for a new hobby or rekindling an old interest.
In his last years, he spent a lot of time both playing guitar and building guitars.
Sam was united in marriage to Mary (Stewart) in Elk Point, South Dakota, on July 2, 1983. Their daughter Kelsi was born the following summer in Iowa City.
Sam is survived by Mary; Kelsi; son-in-law: Brandon TeBockhorst; grandchildren: Reid Kent and Nell James, all of Kalona; sister: Amanda (Ted) Penning of Alton, Iowa; brother: Dan (Susan) Shepherd of Hawarden, Iowa; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; and a great number of wonderful friends.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents.
