Obituary - Posted: 9/14/05
Shawn Silvera
Shawn was born March 7, 1973 to Richard and Bonnie (Johnson) Silvera in Edina. He is a 1991 graduate of Coon Rapids Senior High.
He began his police career as a Police Explorer in Coon Rapids while still in high school. After high school graduation Shawn attended North Hennepin Technical College from July 1991 until Dec. 1993. He then pursued his education at Minneapolis Community College from Dec. 1993 until Jan. 1994 in the Skills training where he graduated with an associate arts degree in law enforcement. For over four years from May of 1992 to May of 1996 he served as a Community Services Officer for Coon Rapids Police Department. From February 1996 until August of 1997 he was a part time police officer with the Forest Lake Police Department. He joined the Lino Lakes Police Department on Aug. 4, 1997.
On May 12, 2000 Shawn married Jennifer Vander Poel at Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. Shawn and Jennifer served in the Peace Corp together from July 28, 2001 to Sept. 2, 2003 in Honduras. Shawn and Jennifer were blessed with two children. Jordan Spencer Anthony Silvera was born on Dec. 18, 2003 and Madelynn Marie Grace Silvera born on April 8, 2005. Shawnís children and wife were very precious to him.
Shawn was preceded in death by his father Richard Silvera on Dec. 26, 2003. He is survived by his wife Jennifer; two young children Jordan and Madelynn, Forest Lake; mother Bonnie Silvera, Coon Rapids; brother Mark (Deanne) Silvera and their two children Natalie and Henry, Crystal; sister Nicole (Nick) Winslow, Isanti; sisters-in-law Cynthia Vander Poel, Maplewood, Sarah Vander Poel, Minneapolis; Deanna (Jim) Ekholm, Richfield and their two children Ashlyn and Evan; brother in-law Adam Vander Poel, Minneapolis; many other relatives and special friends; and his fellow officers of the Lino Lakes Police Department and the greater State of Minnesota.
Shawn was extremely proud to be a police officer and had a deep loyalty to serve and protect. Being an officer to him was much more than wearing a badge and carrying a gun. Shawnís brother Mark Silvera described Shawn as being given the gift of determination.
He was a self taught gifted musician, his musical talents included playing the guitar, piano and voice. He played in the church band at Epiphany and also played the harmonica in local Irish pubs.
Shawn loved to travel, computers and photography. He created a website in 2001 globalsilveras.com to document his Peace Corps service and kept up the website running up until the time of his death. Shawn had a deep faith in his Lord, he and his family joined St. Paulís in Ham Lake in 2004.
A funeral service was Monday, Sept. 12 at Epiphany Catholic Church, Coon Rapids, with interment following in the church cemetery.
Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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