Shawn R. Millard
With a full moon present in the sky on Friday, June 13th, 2014, Shawn Richard Millard, age 40, of Shakopee, went home to Jesus, with his loving family present at his home after a courageous 4 ½ year battle with kidney cancer.
Shawn was born on Mother’s Day, May 11th, 1974. He was the very first baby born at the new Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa, AZ. He was the son to proud parents, Gail Richard and Sharon Louise (Ostertag) Millard. Shawn spent most of his early years growing up in Farmington, MN. He had a love for wrestling and went to State several times. Shawn moved to Prior Lake in his junior year and graduated from Prior Lake High School in 1992.
Shawn had a love for the outdoors. As a young boy he enjoyed riding peddle bike and in later years motorcycles. He loved to sneak out of the house and head to the local fishing hole. He made fond memories fishing with his grandpa, dad and father-in-law. He enjoyed snowmobiling, driving ATV’s and shooting paint balls with friends. His biggest enjoyments were fishing, boating and just being on the water.
Shawn spent 10 years as an auto glass technician for Affordable Auto Glass and the last six years as an Area Field Manager for U-Haul. He was in charge of 30 independent U-Haul dealers in southern Minnesota and had formed many special friendships along the way.
Shawn was introduced to Tari Homyak while attending a surprise 50th birthday party for Tari’s mom.
They dated for seven years and exchanged wedding vows on June 15, 2001 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, MN. They moved to Shakopee and later became the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Taylor and Brianne. Shawn was never happier than when he was spending time with his girls.
They enjoyed many great adventures as a family. They spent their first night camping sleeping in the back of their van with their young daughter, which led to Shawn and Tari purchasing a pop-up camper and in more recent years, a seasonal sight on Lake Elysian. Many weekends were spent boating, tubing, fishing and sitting around the campfire. They also relished the family vacations to Wisconsin Dells, Duluth and the trip of a life time to Disney World with a cruise to the Bahama’s and just this past April another cruise.
First rough around the edges, Shawn had a big heart and was so proud to be a husband and dad. Strong willed; he was a loyal friend to many, worked hard and played hard, too. Left to honor and celebrate Shawn’s life is his wife of 13 years, Tari; daughters, Taylor (11) and Brianne (9); mother, Sharon Ostertag of Shakopee; father, Rich (Babette) Millard of Farmington; sister, Kimberly Anne Justice of Burnsville; half siblings, Richard Millard of Bloomington and Becky Millard of Minneapolis; step-sister, Carmen Wagner of New Prague; mother-in-law, Joann Homyak; brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Wendy) Homyak, Michael (Lori) Homyak, Andrew (Cindy) Homyak, Sheri (Ray) Jacques, Brett Langer; Godchildren: Branden Larson, Jaden Justice and Austin Jacques and other loving relatives, devoted friends and pets: Luke, Felix and Oscar. Preceded in death and welcoming Shawn home are his grandparents and his father-in-law, Michael Homyak.
The family will greet guests on Wed, June 18, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the Mass at church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, June 19, at 11 am, at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will preside. Shawn will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Farmington, MN. Urn- bearers will be brother-in-law and friend, Ray Jacques, and longtime friend, Erik Larson.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served the Millard family.
