Shawn Michael Iversen was born in Long Beach, California on October 25, 1960, to Curtis “Toby” Ole and Earlene Jospehine (Wedean) Iversen while Toby was serving in the US Navy.
In October 1962, brother Brett Wedean iversen joined the family. The two boys were partners from the beginning, skipping school and having lots of “good fun.” Their early years were spent back home in South Dakota living in Rapid City, Murdo and Okaton around family. The Wedean Ranch near Okaton was a special place for them; this included spending many hours in the sky with their Grandpa Earl Wedean flying himself and teaching Shawn how to fly. Summers were spent in the prairie fields windrowing, horseback riding and motorcycle riding, which Shawn considered very special times in his life. Simply put, Shawn adored his “Gramps.”
In June 1973, Earlene married Richard Hullinger and the boys were blessed with a stepfather. Many summers were spent by Shawn working at the Apco Filling Station in Murdo and South Dakota’s Original 1880 Town located near Belvidere along Interstate 90. Brother Brett, cousins Joel and Foster Iversen and Dave Bartels were known to take turns sitting on the roof of the Apco station or at 1880 Town, watching for Richard coming down the interstate so they could “get busy.”
Shawn spent most of his school years in Murdo and graduated from Jones County High School (JCHS) in May 1979. It is said that then JCHS Superintendent Jack Donahue knew that if Shawn was wearing his cutback boots to school, he was likely planning fun with friends rather than being in school! Shortly after high school graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corp (USMC) stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Shawn was a proud member of the USMC; he joined the bull riding club and this became a highlight of his life.
After leaving the Marine Corp, Shawn focused on a few different careers: welding and certified nurse assistant namely. Shawn shined at both of these opportunities and became a father to Chelcee Diane Iversen in 1984 and Lacey Earlene Iversen in 1992. During his lifetime, Shawn lived in Arizona, Wyoming and South Dakota; yet he found himself always moving closer to family.
Shawn’s priority was always for family including his parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and of course his lifelong friends. Shawn had a heart of gold and will be remembered for his soft soul, smile and laugh. Shawn enjoyed fishing, dancing, wild horse races and just a simple “good old time” with friends. Throughout his life he lived with patience, kindness, grace and forgiveness. His good morning calls, FaceTime calls, text messages, and I love you’s will be greatly missed.
Shawn unexpectedly passed away Friday, September 15, 2023, in Youngstown, Arizona, while temporarily staying with family awaiting his new home with his best friend Stella, his dog. Shawn referred to her as “Stelly” and they were the perfect duo.
Shawn was preceded in death by two infant sons Jacob & Spencer Iversen, paternal grandparents Loren “Buster” and Margaret “Peggy” Iversen, maternal grandparents Earl and Dorothy Wedean, and mother Earlene Hullinger.
Shawn leaves behind: daughter Lacey (Kyle) Behl and children Aria, Becket, Jax & Karter of Yelm, WA, daughter Chelcee (Cordell) Wickstrand and children Cadence, Anden, Taytum & Aniston of Tooele, UT, stepdaughter Jessica (Christian) Livesay and children Junibell , Johnathon & Lucas of Hot Springs, SD. Father Toby (Ivetta) Iversen of Wickenburg, AZ, siblings Brett Iversen of Las Vegas, NV, Kerri Iversen of Youngstown, AZ, Curtis (Ann) Iversen of Caldwell, ID, Carol (Dwayne) Martin of Wickenburg, AZ, stepfather Richard Hullinger of Murdo, SD, siblings Amy (Cory) Rust of Rapid City, SD and Sallie (Tom) Cuny, of Piedmont, SD as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews he adored. Shawn truly loved his people, and his memories will live on forever.
In Shawn’s memory, memorials will be given to the Rapid City, SD, chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF), Inc. PHWFF is a local non-profit that guides Veterans in-need of recovery through fly fishing, mentoring and friendships.