Shawn David Frehner

Shawn was born on November 30, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Rex and Shirley (Pingel) Frehner. He was the second of five children, with siblings Barry, Mark, Tyler, and Jill. Shawn’s early years were filled with fun and family. He enjoyed racing motorcycles, playing baseball, and team roping. The family spent summer weekends at the lake boating, swimming, and riding jet skis, and winters skiing in Brian Head. The kids were taught to work hard and were tasked with caring for their many animals—chickens, horses, pigs and dogs.

Shawn graduated with honors from Western High School in 1987. After high school, Shawn attended Brigham Young University for a year, and then the University of Nevada Las Vegas while waiting to serve a mission. From 1989 to 1991, he served full-time in the Korea Taejon Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent two years serving the people of Korea and that service left a lasting impression on him. He loved the Korean people, the food, and ping pong. He often attributed his blessings in life to that service. One of those blessings was his wife, Sarah Young Soon Burrows, whom he first met while serving in Korea. In the fall of 1991, Shawn returned to BYU where he reconnected with Sarah. The two were sealed in the Las Vegas, Nevada Temple on December 18, 1992. They went on to have three children—Ashley, Michael, and Nathan—and shared a wonderful life together for 32 years.

From a young age, Shawn dreamed of being a veterinarian. After completing vet school requirements at BYU, he was accepted into The Ohio State University’s veterinary program a year early. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997. He then moved his family to Snohomish, Washington where he completed a one-year internship at Pilchuk Equine Hospital. Following this, he and his family returned to his hometown of Las Vegas to start his practice in July of 1998. For almost 27 years, Shawn cared for countless animals across the valley. He truly loved his job, and the animals and people he served.

Outside of work, Shawn had many interests—golfing with his dad; cheering his daughter, Ashley, on in her activities; scuba diving with his son, Michael; racing RC cars with his brother Mark, his sons, and nephews; riding four-wheelers with his son, Nathan; teaching Nathan how to race motorcycles; playing pickleball with his wife; and cruising around on his e-bike. He liked to always be doing something and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved being a father and took great pride in being known to others as Ashley, Michael, and Nathan’s dad. But by far, his favorite name was “Poppa.” Shawn loved playing with his grandkids. He found so much joy in them and they adored him.

Throughout his life, he served faithfully in many church callings. Some of these included serving as a youth Sunday School teacher, a Young Men’s leader, in various roles in the scouting program, and most recently, his favorite, a nursery leader. Shawn loved to have fun, and was able to connect with the children and youth he taught by bringing that joy and fun to his church service.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah; his children, Ashley (married to Riley), Michael, and Nathan; and his grandchildren, Penelope, Baylor, and Rocky. He is also survived by his parents, Rex and Shirley Frehner; his siblings, Barry, Mark, Tyler, and Jill; and many extended family members and friends. Although Shawn passed earlier than expected, his life was full. He worked hard and played hard. He loved his family deeply and found so much joy in them. He will be greatly missed by the many that knew and love him.

Memorial services were held for Shawn on Monday, May 12, 2025.