Shawn R. Schropfer

A Memorial Service for Shawn will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva, Nebraska with Lay Pastor Michelle Lessard presiding. No visitation will be held as it was Shawn's wishes to be cremated. Graveside Services will be held following the Memorial Service at the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Memorials are to be directed to the family to be designated at a later date. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….. Shawn Ryan Schropfer was born to Francis Lewis Schropfer and Barbara Jo Zimmerman on December 31, 1972, in Henderson, NE, and he passed away September 23, 2025, at Bryan West in Lincoln, NE at the young of age of 52. He was one of two children in the family (he was the type who marched to the beat of his own drum….. that’s describing him and his life mildly). Over the years and over the last week, as we have spent time reminiscing, I have heard a cornucopia of words used to describe Shawn. A few that have stuck with me are precocious (inherited from his mother; Barb), adorable, intelligent, wonderful writer, and a royal pain in the a** (I’m sure we can all fill in the last two letters and I do believe this was how his mother frequently described him…. said with the love of a frustrated mom of course). His arrival into the world was ALMOST overshadowed by the events and journey that transpired prior to his birth. On the last day of the year in 1972, a horrific snowstorm swept through the State of Nebraska, in true farmer fashion, Frank loaded up his laboring wife and two-year-old son, Scott, into the pickup truck and made their way to Fairmont, where luckily, they caught up with the motor grader and its driver out clearing snow. Frank, Barb, and Scott were able to welcome and enjoy their New Year’s Eve baby in the warmth and safety of the Henderson Hospital, thanks to that driver who cleared the way for them. His precocious nature (remember, he inherited this from mom) followed him into childhood, onto his adolescent years, and finally into adulthood. Shawn enjoyed collecting G.I. Joes, Transformers, listening to Led Zeppelin, and watching Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Bruce Lee movies. He showcased his inherited nature as a 2-year-old; while Frank and Barb were busy painting their kitchen mustard yellow, Shawn was busy dipping his sandwich in the “mustard” and eating it. Was poison control a thing in the 70’s? Old Doc Ashby got a kick out of him at 7 years old when he went with his mom and cousin T to see Ashby about a bone spur under his older cousin’s big toe. While giving her local anesthesia, Ashby said, “This is just like going to the dentist”. Little 7-year-old Shawn pipes up in his most disparaging tone, “The dentist doesn’t give you a shot in your toe, dummy”. Ashby laughed while Barb and cousin T “died”. As only a good cousin would do, T and her teenage friends would take Shawn along on their outings/adventures sometimes. While on these outings/adventures doing her “duty” as his older cousin to teach him the different ways you can get into mischief, T taught Shawn to pinch her friend’s butts when they were standing in line. Mom wasn’t too happy when he did it to some random lady, and neither was the lady! Keeping true to himself, doing as he wanted right, wrong, or in between, and as an enigma to fellow students and faculty, Shawn’s school years were spent moving from school to school, attempting to find the best fit for him. Teachers talked about his wonderful writing skills, and classmates were awed over his ability to not study or do his homework and yet still pass tests with flying colors. Ultimately, Shawn left traditional schooling and achieved his Masonry Certificate while attending Job Corps in Chadron, Nebraska. He was stolen from us before we were ready and much too young. While we mourn and ask why, we have the comfort of knowing he is with his mom and dad and truly at peace. Shawn was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Lewis Schropfer and Barbara Jo Zimmerman. He is survived by his brother, Scott (Enice) Schropfer of Geneva; Niece Brittny Bedke of Geneva; Nephews Christopher Schropfer (Elizabeth Hedglin); Andrew (Amanda) Schropfer, all of Geneva; Great-Nieces Ellie, Brentley, Oakley, and Tallulah, and great-nephew Merrick, all of Geneva. I’ll leave you with this: “X never, ever marks the spot.”

Tributes

Shawn R. Schropfer

December 31, 1972 - September 23, 2025