Leslie Mortier Shaw II

Leslie Mortier Shaw II of 16605 Carmen Oaks Drive, Durango, Iowa passed away Friday May 5th at Hawkeye Care Center.

Leslie was born June 17th, 1940 in Marshalltown, Iowa where he attended grade school. After his family moved to a farm near Melbourne, he transferred to Melbourne High School, and later graduated from Wentworth Military Academy. He received a BA degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids with a major in music theory and a minor in organ.

He went to Boston for two years, before living part time with his mother back in Marshalltown for much of his life. He passed many summers in Denver, Colorado, and eventually resided there, as well as in San Francisco, and something over a year in Fort Lauderdale. He traveled widely throughout this country, and spent six years in Europe.

Leslie leaves behind more than 100 “regular length” compositions in addition to some 150 chorales. He wrote music for piano, organ, and voice; string quartets, sonatas for flute and other solo instruments, divertimentos for two clarinets and bassoon. Many of such compositions bear the titles of communities or sights therein which inspired them. Shaw played the organ for Marshalltown churches in his youth. Several books and numerous original recipes further enlarge his creative output.

Leslie was the son of Leslie Mortier Shaw originally from Irene, South Dakota, and of Margaret Edna Estel, whose Father, William Frederick, founded the Estel Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Mr. Estel built up a landed estate which Leslie did much to expand. Among his contributions stands out a union of six scenic and productive parcels totaling a mile square called Campidoglio Farm (after one of the seven sacred hills of Rome) – with its various parts named after Shaw’s preferred composers.

All family proceeded the deceased in Death.

A celebration of life will take place at Blades Chapel on University of Dubuque Campus, 2000 University Avenue, on Tuesday May 23rd at 5pm followed by dinner at 6:15. Leonard Funeral Home & crematory, Dubuque, Iowa is assisting the family. 

 Service Information