Shawn Slaby

Shawn Christopher Slaby of Jamestown passed away on February 20, 2024 in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one week earlier.

Shawn was born in Breckenridge, MN on September 17, 1956 to Lloyd and Betty Ann (Tennefos) Slaby. He grew up alongside older brother Danny and younger sister Mary in Milnor, ND. He graduated from Milnor High School in 1974 before attending Valley City State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. In August of 1987 he married Lanna Trautmann in Robinson, ND. They resided in Wing, ND before moving to Jamestown in 2000. Shawn’s daughters, Molly and Abby, brought him tremendous pride and he was thankful to have seen them grow into adulthood. That same pride was doubled with the arrival of granddaughters Seger and Lennie.

He was not a man of many wants or needs and was happiest when taking in a ball game. You could often find him at a gym, baseball or football field watching whoever might be playing that day. If he wasn’t there, he most certainly had it on the radio or TV. His kids affectionately called him “TV Guide” when he let them know who was playing when and on what channel. To recap the days prior events, he was sure to listen to Hot Mic with Dom Izzo.

Shawn is forever remembered and loved by his wife, Lanna; daughters Molly (Landon) Rachel, Jamestown and Abby Slaby, West Fargo; granddaughters Seger and Lennie Rachel; brother Danny (Joey) Hegle, Milnor; sister Mary Swenson, Detroit Lakes, MN; father-in-law Art Trautmann, Jamestown; siblings-in-law Wes and Cindy Trautmann, Robinson and Bob and LaDonna Bowerman, Bismarck; nieces and nephews, Jake Hegle, Milnor, Josh (Jody) Hegle, West Fargo, Jessica (Nick) Lee, Milnor, Jed (Kelly) Swenson, Burnsville, MN, Maggie (Morgan Nyquist) Swenson, Moorhead, MN, Casey (John) Patzner, Bismarck, Chase Trautmann, Robinson, Brietta (Kenn) Iverson, Jamestown, Courtney (Bo) Riskedahl, Steele and several great nieces and nephews.

Shawn was preceded in death by his parents, mother-in-law, Velma Trautmann, and two nephews, Brock and Brett Bowerman.

A memorial will be held at the Newman Center in Jamestown from 1-5 p.m. March 10, with a service at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, Shawn shared with his family two causes that held meaning to him:

Wanting to help others with a cancer diagnosis, the JRMC Cancer Center

To honor his love of sports, particularly baseball, Jamestown Parks and Recreation Foundation-McElroy Field Renovations (Shawn Slaby Memorial).

Oh and “Go Pack Go!”

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.