Shauna Irene Ploehn

Shauna passed away peacefully on April 11, 2021 in her home, following a stroke two weeks prior. She was 72 years old. She was surrounded by her loving husband and her five remaining children. She will be remembered as a cheerful, loving woman, who loved to serve others.

She was born to Marvin Eugene Smith and Irene Hilda Stewart on October 28, 1948. She was the fourth out of six children. Born and raised in Salt Lake City. She graduated from Highland High School and was a friend to all.

In her early youth she followed a dream of becoming a talented Ballet Dancer; after a car wreck broke her ankle, she was never able to put toe shoes on and perform like she wanted. As a result of this change in her life she took up teaching Ballet along with her sister Linda. She was involved in recitals and loved teaching. It also provided her an income to provide necessities that a young woman likes.

Later at the age of 21 she served as a Missionary to the Spokane Washington State mission from 1970-1973. She was one of the last sisters to serve a two-year mission. She had the option of going home at 1 1/2 years but decided to stay for two years. She had many wonderful Sister Missionary friends and stayed in contact with them throughout her life.

After coming home from her mission she decided to go to BYU. There she met her husband David on the 2nd day of school. They knew they were to be married after just one week of seeing each other, so they immediately made plans to be married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on the 3rd of August 1973.

Shauna had six children that kept her busy. She was an amazing homemaker. The children loved her storytelling, and the many nursery rhymes she would sing to them. Shauna was always playful with the kids and loved dancing and singing around the house to make them happy. Shauna learned great skills as a mother. A few of the many talents she acquired were: cutting her children's hair, spending hours canning healthy fruits and vegetables for food storage, and gaining knowledge about health and holistic medicine. Shauna also studied for years to become a Master Herbalist, but time caught up to her and she fell short in that goal. Shauna gave her all for her children and would do anything for them. Shauna chose to have her children birthed all naturally, except the last child that ended in an emergency C-section.

Shauna is survived by her husband David and five of her six children, April Ploehn, Nathan Ploehn (Andrea), Brandon Ploehn (Nicole), Heather Ploehn Carlson (Brett), and Tiffany Ploehn. Her oldest son Jeremy Ploehn died in 1993 at the age of 19 while mountain climbing in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Amongst her legacy are 12 grandchildren, Josh, Zach, Liberty, Annie, Brandon, Ben, Emily, Brooklyn, Jack, Casey, Brecken, Paisley and 1 great grandchild, Athena. Also surviving are her siblings Linda Smith Olivier, Robert Smith, Stewart Smith, Scott Smith, and Hugh Smith.

During her lifetime she served in numerous callings in the Church. One time she served as an early morning seminary teacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan while the family was in between homes and living in a tent at a campground for over 3 months. She would never say no to serving. Shauna also served as a Temple Worker in the Draper, Utah Temple 2019-2020 before she started having more severe strokes.

After the children were older and attending school, Shauna decided to be tutored under Stan Malstrom, a health service professional. She became an Acupressure Massage Therapist and worked for many years helping family, friends, and clients as often as she could.

In 2009 Shauna started having mini strokes that slowly started to diminish her strength and energy, but she always did her best to spend time with family and organize family events to keep her family together.

Shauna's husband Dave retired in February 2020. This allowed them to spend more quality time together this past year and they were able to solidify their Eternal marriage covenants in a more meaningful way.

Shauna will be missed greatly by her family, but she will be doing everything she can on the other side of the veil to help them be successful. She also will be spending time with her Son Jeremy that passed away and her parents Marvin and Irene Smith.

We love you Mom, we love you Gramma, we love you Shauna, we love you Sweetheart.

Family and Friends are invited to celebrate Shauna's life at the viewing on April 15th, 2021 from 6-8 pm, located at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State Street, Midvale, Utah 84047. A viewing will also be held Friday, April 16th, 2021 at 10 am at the Sandy Hillcrest 4th Ward building, located at 8735 S. Harvard Park Drive, Sandy, Utah, and funeral services will follow at 11 am. Interment will follow at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, located by Camp Williams off Redwood Road.