Jerome David Shea, 88, of Rochester and formerly of Viola, passed away on Friday afternoon, November 8, 2024, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester. He was born August 21, 1936, in Rochester to Harold and Ida (Herman) Shea. Jerome attended the Viola Olmsted Country School for his elementary years and then attended Eyota High School where he played the trombone in the band, played basketball and football. He was also active in the FFA and a member of the Viola Victors 4-H Club. Jerome graduated in 1954. He was drafted into the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1962. He married the love of his life Marilyn Patzner on June 2, 1964, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eyota.

Jerome and Marilyn made their home on the family farm where he was a lifetime dairy farmer in Viola Township, raised Holstein cows, selling seed corn, and admired his John Deere tractors. They raised their ten children on the farm.

Jerome was a lifelong Catholic, and faith was extremely important to him. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Eyota, where he served on the Parish Council, and as an usher for many years. He was also active in the community serving as President for the Viola Gopher Count and served on the boards of SE Mutual Insurance Company, DHIA, and Eyota Creamery. Jerome was a member of the Eyota American Legion. He truly loved his family, God, land, and his country.

Jerome was easy going and had a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh and tease Marilyn. He greeted everyone with a bright smile. Jerome enjoyed spending time with his family visiting his relatives and friends. He and Marilyn loved going dancing, playing cards and belonging to a 500-card club with longtime friends. He enjoyed going on drives and vacations, attending movies. He especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their sporting events, and spending time with them. He liked to watch the MN sports teams and enjoyed all the homemade baked treats that Marilyn made. Jerome and Marilyn were honored to be the King and Queen for the 125th Viola Gopher Count.

Jerome is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marilyn Shea of Rochester; their children, MaryJo (Alan) Stehley of Rochester, Anne Shea of Rochester, John (Angela) Shea of Dover, Thomas (Melissa) Shea of Viola, Sara (Mike) Jensen of Byron, Michael (Shantel) Shea of Hastings, Joanie (Greg) Thompson of Eyota, Jason (Mindy) Shea of Viola, Jyll (Michael) Rizzo of Rochester, and Matthew (Kaitlyn Harberts) Shea of Dover, 29 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Mario (Frances) Shea Lorenz of Tacoma, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Elaine Bailey and R. Marie Mac; and 3 brothers, Joseph, Robert, and Verne.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles, with Fr. Jonathan Fasnacht officiating. Burial will follow the service in the Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Eyota. Friends and family may visit on Sunday, November 17, from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The Rosary will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the church.