Christopher W. Shilhanek

Christopher W. Shilhanek, 49, of Indianola, Iowa passed away Monday September 29, 2025, at home.

Chris was born and raised in the Clarinda, Iowa area by his parents Becky and Steve Shilhanek. As a child he loved exploring the forest at his grandma and Grandpa Eike's place in Toddville with his sisters and cousins and being outside.

Chris graduated from Clarinda High School in 1994 and Kirkwood Community College in 1996 with an associate's degree in Auto Mechanics.

In 2004 he joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 234 and completed training to become a crane operator. Chris was very proud to be a Union worker and appreciated everything the union had done for him. He loved talking about the many job sites and projects he had been involved in over the years and enjoyed pointing them out when driving by.

Chris loved his kids dearly. He was a devoted father who never missed a chance to support his kids in the things they loved. He showed up for every sport they played – from softball to soccer, baseball to football, basketball and wrestling – always cheering from the sidelines with pride. He enjoyed working on weekend projects with them, whether it was building a shelf, a garden bed, a rabbit hutch, a mobile enclosure, or anything else the family dreamed up. When the kids were younger, he loved being involved in their 4-H meetings and took pride in helping them show their animals. He created lasting memories through camping trips and fishing days – sometimes even calling it "hunting" when he'd sneak in a nap in the woods. He took the family to races at Knoxville, the Brickyard, and the Indianapolis Raceway and made sure to take the boys to Monster Jam and WWE matches when they came to town.

Even as the kids grew older he found ways to keep everyone connected, organizing weekly trivia nights just to bring everyone together. He never failed to send daily snaps of dad jokes – always finding small ways to make them smile. He was always there to listen, to offer support, guidance, and unwavering love. His presence was steady, strong, and full of heart.

In 2014 Chris married Jennie Jo Bandstra and together they enjoyed many nights of dancing to country music and everything cowboy boots and cowboy hats! Chris was a lifelong fan of NASCAR and Dale Jr. and they enjoyed going to the races with family and friends. Their real love was anything football and weekends were all about a minimum of three big screen TV's in the living room so you could watch all your teams at once and never miss a big play. Chris was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and Jennie Jo was a die hard Iowa State fan so that made for some interesting discussions. And once a year when the two teams played each other they were definitely a house divided! They did both agree on their love of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Chicago Bears as long as they weren't playing the Chiefs!!

Chris is survived by his wife Jennie Jo of Indianola; his children Lacy Reyna and husband Scott, of Rhode Island, Reyna Gonzales and husband Raymond of Oklahoma, McCartney Swanson and husband Logan of St. Charles, Lennon Shilhanek and wife Ava currently stationed in Japan with the United States Marines, and Harrison Shilhanek of Winterset; grandchild Riley Gonzales; Mom Becky Shilhanek of Clarinda; Mother-in-Law Lona Bandstra of Pella; sister Jennifer Bramble of Clarinda; sister-in-law Katie Peterson and husband Jessie of Pella; brother-in-law Matthew Bandstra and wife Charity of Marshaltown; and numerous Aunts and Uncles, nieces and nephews,family and friends.

Chris was preceded in death by his sister Michelle Kirchert; Father Steve Shilhanek; Brother-in-laws Tim Bramble and Alan Kirchert; and father-in-law Terry Bandstra

There will be a Celebration of Life held for friends and family at the St. Charles Lions Hall in St. Charles, Iowa on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 2-4PM.