Shawn (Grosse) Vaillant

Shawn Maree Vaillant (1963-2016) Shawn Maree Vaillant, 53 of Ocala, Florida passed away November 28th, 2016 at her home. She was born August 15th, 1963 in Fort Carson, Colorado, the daughter of Bob and Donna Grosse. She married Dennis Vaillant on December 30th, 1985 in Dallas, Texas. She gave birth to her one and only child, her son Trae Vaillant, February 17th, 1994. The world lost an amazing woman this past week. The coming days, weeks, months and years will not be easy but we were all blessed to have spent 53 incredible years with her. Our hearts are broken, but we will push on to stay strong as she’d always want us to carry on. Life can oftentimes deal us an unexpected hand, but her compassion and wisdom will live in our hearts forever. Shawn was a modern day superwoman, beautiful, strong, smart, caring, enthusiastic, fun, determined and successful. She had “it”. In life we don’t remember days, we remember moments. Although the days we had with her were cut short, the moments we spent with her will last for an eternity. Shawn graduated from Denver High School and earned her BA in Fashion Merchandising from Iowa State University. She moved to Dallas, Texas following graduation in pursuit of her career in fashion. Shawn began her Primerica career with her husband Dennis in 1987. She was a coach, mentor, inspiration, and role model for thousands throughout her time. She championed the Primerica marriage partnership program, served on executive committees as a trusted advisor and delivered countless motivational speeches. She reignited her passion for horses in 2007 and began to show competitively across the country, always a champion. In 2012 she moved to Ocala, Florida onto her dream property, “Destiny Ranch”, a 30 acre plot of land that was truly her heaven on earth. Her full, beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be remembered forever and continue to warm the hearts of any and all fortunate enough to have known her. There will never be enough words to describe the impact she had here on earth, but she will forever serve as our guardian angel, smiling down from above. Survived by: Husband Dennis of Ocala, Florida; Son Trae of Fort Myers, Florida; Parents Bob and Donna Grosse of Cedar Falls, IA; Brother Shane and Mollie Gross of Denver, IA; Niece Bobbie Grosse; Nephew Bo Grosse; Mother-in-law Yvonne and Lou Vesh; Sister-in-law Janice and Rod Smith; Nieces Katherine and Caleb Bischoff, Kimberly Smith, and Christine Smith. Sister-in-law Alice, Brad Rusnak; Niece Ella-Rae Sister-in-law Noreen Vaillant; Nieces Sarah and Vanessa Vaillant; Nephew Robert Vaillant There will be a visitation Friday evening, December 9th, 2016 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Richardson Funeral Home 615 Main St Cedar Falls, IA 50613 319-266-3525 There will be a celebration of Life Service on Saturday, December 10th, 2016, starting at 1:00pm at First United Methodist Church 718 Clay St Cedar Falls, IA 50613 319-266-1713 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Scholarship Program of the American Quarter Horse Foundation. These donations will honor Shawn with an annual endowment for a collegiate recipient that exemplifies the qualities that Shawn held most dear: leadership, horsemanship, courage and determination. Make donations payable to the American Quarter Horse Foundation, P.O. Box 3211, Amarillo, TX 79120. Please write “In memory of Shawn Vaillant” in the memo line of the check, or online at http://www.aqha.com/shawnvaillantmem.

Shawn (Grosse) Vaillant

August 15, 1963 - November 28, 2016