Shawn S. Dowse

Shawn Steven Dowse, age 44, of Kearney, died Tuesday, September 13, 2016 as the result of an automobile accident. Shawn was born November 18, 1971 to Ron and Lona (Fay) Dowse. He was raised in Comstock, NE where he was a star of the Comstock Pirate Pee Wee baseball team. He was a master angler at the age of 8 when he caught a 6 pound bass out of the Dowse Family Homestead pond. He loved the outdoors and had many secret adventures with his brother Shane. He was fearless and once, at the age of 4, rode his bike 5 miles down the country roads to see his Grandpa and Grandma. At the age of 26 Shawn finally met the girl he had been searching for. Kristal Schneider had the same sense of humor as he, loved the Huskers & Royals as much as he, and was willing to enter rollerblading marathons with him. He finally proposed after 6 years together and they married 18 days later in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He was a devoted husband and loved to surprise his wife with gifts he had made with his own hands. Shawn knew the importance of education and after 6 years serving his country in Iraq during Desert Storm, and later in Germany, he left full time service and joined the National Guard. He served 4 more years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E5. He attended college at UNK, and astounded friends and family when he graduated with his Master of Arts in Education degree. He made up for his lack of interest in high school by striving to learn something every day. He was eager to help anyone in need, and would be there at the drop of a dime to build a retaining wall, landscape a back yard, pour concrete, or help anyone any way he could. In 2011, Shawn took the best job ever as a full time daddy to Rylee Marie. He devoted the next 5 and ½ years to raising a strong and confident daughter to be adventurous and fearless like her daddy. He nurtured her love of the outdoors and adventure. He made sure she knew she could be whatever she wanted to be, but he secretly hoped for a long stint in the LPGA. He made sure she knew that he loved her “more than golf”. Shawn believed that everyone should have a passion for something and his passion was golf. He studied the game and played hundreds of rounds. He achieved his first “clean card” at Calamus golf course while playing 18 with his father-in-law Duane. He hit at least 7 holes-in-one with the last one being witnessed by his daughter. He was fiercely protective of the game, would always walk the course and held others accountable if they tried to “forget” a stroke. He loved to coach and teach others to golf and believed that golf was a “life” sport that everyone should enjoy. He was a perfectionist with his own game-but never judgmental of someone else’s poor swing. He loved coaching the KCHS boys golf team and after 2 seasons and a couple trips to state, he was looking forward to many more seasons. His 2nd passion was beatifying his beloved childhood home-the first homestead in Custer County. He spent countless hours with his dad, removing trees, rebuilding barns, tearing out fence, and dredging the creek to ensure bountiful fishing for years to come. He planted a ½ acre of trees and bushes that he intended to transplant around the 123 river front acres to add color and beauty to his vision of paradise. This summer he harvested his first crop of elderberries which he quickly turned into jelly with the help of his Aunt Roxie. Shawn is preceded in death by Grandpa Philip and Grandma Eleanor Dowse, and Grandma Lucille Fay. Survivors include his wife Kristal and daughter Rylee Dowse, of Kearney; father Ron Dowse and wife Leann of Comstock; mother Lona Dowse of Bertrand; big sister Stacie and husband Scott Schwarz of Bertrand, big brother Shane Dowse and girlfriend Michelle Fausett of Grand Island; little sis Stefanie and husband Brian Trollope of Holdrege; father & mother-in-law Duane and Peg Schneider; brother-in-law Dan Schneider and wife Natalie. He was known as the fun uncle to Grace and Isaiah Schwarz, Payton Dowse, Isaac and Elijah Fausett, Fayth, Kinsey & Weston VanSlyke, Brogan and Amber Trollope, Rowan and Hannah Schneider. He was dearly loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A party at the farm will be held October 1st for those who knew and loved him. All are invited to bring their lawn chairs to sit on the bluff he one day planned to build a cabin on, and enjoy the view he worked tirelessly for all to enjoy. The open house will be 10:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with military honors at 10:30. 80560 Oak Grove Road, Comstock, NE Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. A Go-Fund-Me account has been established to help with funeral expenses and towards a college fund for his daughter Rylee. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Shawn S. Dowse

November 18, 1991 - September 13, 2016