George Shanks, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Twin Oaks, California on Monday, June 7 following a brief illness. He was surrounded by the love of four of his five children who were at his bedside constantly for the week prior to his death. George grew up in Nora Springs, Iowa. In his senior year of high school, he transferred to Mason City High School because they offered a woodworking class. He had already decided he wanted to be in the construction business and wanted to take courses that would be of help in his chosen career. Following high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was a Crew Chief/Mechanic and was required to fly with the planes to keep them in working order. He had many interesting stories to tell and fond memories of the people he served with. He has maintained those friendships and always looked forward to their annual reunions. He also looked forward to the high school reunions of both Nora Springs and Mason City and had many lifetime friends. George was a very accomplished businessman and excelled in the construction business. He started his career building houses in Iowa, then moved to California forming his own company and building tract homes. He later branched out and began building commercial property and investing in real estate. He loved to fly his airplane for both business and pleasure. He was capable of mastering any project he chose to do. After retiring he enjoyed creating beautiful woodworking and stained glass projects, gardening, traveling and patiently passing on his knowledge by instructing and helping others with home improvements as well as other projects. In addition to his home in California, which he and his wife designed and built, he owned a home in Frisco, Colorado. He was a black diamond skier and excellent ice skater. George was a very loving, caring, passionate and social person. He loved to visit with people and to know him was to love him. He will be missed by all those who had the good fortune to be a family member or friend. He is survived by his son Rick (Ralisa), daughters Debbie Mull and Teresa Hevener, stepdaughters Julie (John) Hoppis and Lisa (Robert) Holland, grandsons Ryan Mull, Jamie, Josh and Jeremy Hevener, Garrett and Shawn Shanks and Cole Holland, granddaughters Sara Shanks and Rachel, Laurel and McKenna Hoppis, and great granddaughters Emma and Izzy Shanks. He is also survived by his brothers, Burton, Earl, Glen, David and Larry, and sister Dorothy. George will be rejoining his beloved wife of 33 years, Marjorie, who passed away 4 years ago after a valiant fight with kidney disease. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Leonard & Gladys Shanks, his son Marty, his granddaughter Jennifer Mull,his son-in-law Frank Hevener, his sister Ester Ford and brother Howard Shanks. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in George's name to the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California, 15490 Ventura Blvd., Suite 210, Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91403-3016 or online. Services will be held at a later date in Mason, Iowa and interment will be at Rock Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs, Iowa.