Donald Shegrud

Don M. Shegrud, 86, peacefully left this earthly life and entered his heavenly home on Sunday, July 10, at NKC Hospital Hospice House. Don was born on September 15, 1935, in Dubuque, IA, the first child of Evelyn and Morris Shegrud. He grew up in Dubuque and attended Loras Academy. After graduating high school in 1954, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country for four years and was a Korean War veteran. Upon his honorable discharge in 1958, he moved to Kansas City, MO and enrolled in Finlay School of Engineering. He earned his degree in mechanical engineering and went to work for Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Co. He then spent most of his career at Continental Disc Corp. where he was Senior VP, as well as VP at CDC Valve Co. and Expando-Seal in Philadelphia. He eventually became his own boss when he purchased GPM Co. and was a business owner until his retirement. After retirement, he continued to do consulting work for several more years.

Don met his first wife, Jeanne Milburn, shortly after he left the Air Force and the two were united in marriage on October 8, 1960. They were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Sonya, in 1966 and both doted on their only child. They were married nearly 25 years when Jeanne predeceased Don on June 14, 1985. He was blessed to get a second chance at love and married Sue Setter on September 30, 1988. Don and Sue also enjoyed nearly 25 years of marriage until Sue predeceased him on March 18, 2013.

Don was a life-long Catholic and attended St. Therese, Parkville, St. Patrick’s, Kansas City, and Good Shephard, Smithville. He was a member of many clubs and groups through the years including the Republican National Committee and the Knights of Columbus, where he was inducted into the highest and most prestigious rank of Fourth Degree. He was also in Who’s Who of America book and he also had several patents.  He was also a long-time member of the NKC Breakfast Men’s Club, proudly serving a term as president. He was an avid traveler, visiting all 50 states as well as many countries around the world. He never missed an opportunity to play a round of golf and enjoyed decades of weekly golf outings with dear friends.

Don will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor (he had a joke for every occasion), his honesty and integrity and his larger-than-life personality. He was loved deeply and will be missed my many.

Don is survived by his loving daughter, Sonya, her husband Tom Holtzclaw, and cherished grandson Austin Holtzclaw, all of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Terry Hall of Fox Lake, IL. The family is forever grateful to the wonderful people at Wexford Assisted Living who provided Don with excellent care in the final years of his life.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2022 at Meyers Northland Chapel 401 Main Street Parkville, MO 64152.  The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Don’s life will commence at 11:00 a.m., Saturday July 16, 2022 at Church of the Good Shepherd 18601 N. 169 Highway Smithville, MO 64089.  Burial will immediately follow at Resurrection North Cemetery.  The family request that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org.  Memories of Don and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.