Funeral services for Shawn Tibbs, 56, of Elkton, SD, will be held at 11:30 AM, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Ft. Pierre. Burial will be in the Scotty Phillips Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Stanley County Fairgrounds. Shawn passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at his home.

The funeral service will be livestreamed.

Shawn David Tibbs was born on August 24, 1969, in Mobridge, SD to Michael Tibbs and Kay Ketchum Tibbs. He joined his sister Neilie. At age 5 he lost his mom to cancer, missing her terribly the rest of his life. At age 6 he gained his mom, Kathy and brother Kevin. Not long after little sister Mika was born to round out their crew. Shawn grew up in Dupree. The bb gun wars, boxing matches, three-wheeler excursions and hunting trips out at Grandpa Bob’s were the type of fun you had to be there to appreciate. Many summers were spent in Ridgeview at his Uncle Bernie and Aunt Dorothy’s house. He and his cousins learned all things ranching and probably a few other things too. Grandpa Shortlog kept the herd in line and gave them all their nicknames. Shawn was fondly known as “Joe” rarely getting called by his real name which both aggravated him and made him grin.

Shawn excelled in sports winning the South Dakota Silver Gloves boxing championship in his division that earned him a trip to Nationals in Peoria, IL. He was a football player for his favorite football team The Dupree Tigers and played basketball for a short while, but boxing was his greater passion. Shawn’s real talent came through when he got on a horse. He spent a lot of time breaking horses, roping, and riding broncs in the summer. Much time was spent with his family at Johnny Holloway’s doing just what he loved- riding, roping and spurrin a bronc.

Shawn graduated from High School in 1987 winning the SD State High School Saddle Bronc Championship that summer. A lot of stories came out of that trip to Pueblo for the National High School Finals. Shawn attended college in Snyder, Texas, at Western Texas College where he went to school a little, rodeoed a lot and made friends by the dozens. We’re still waiting to hear the real story behind the name he was widely known by, Two Dogs. He graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Ag. Shawn traveled the PRCA trail with friends who became family, trusted and true. With Rorey Lemmel, Denny McLanahan and Lynn Churchill he traveled many miles in College and down the PRCA road. A few memorable moments he liked to reminisce about were making the top 10 at Cheyenne, riding Papa Smurf at Pendleton, hitting Salinas, Cody and many more. He loved to talk about his rides and could remember every horse he was on and most of his buddies too. He took time to help younger athletes starting their career. When his cousin TC Holloway started traveling, he encouraged him every step of the way. Shawn gave a set of chaps he’d had made for himself to cousin Cody Taton who wore them proudly that season making it to the 2007 Canadian Finals. He gave his saddle to another bronc rider stopping through who found himself needing one in the middle of his run.

Shawn met Steph Kuemper in 1998. In 2006 Jordyn Kay, the first of his treasures was born. Cayle Leigh followed in 2007. He loved his girls with all his heart. His favorite things to do were swimming with the girls and sitting around a firepit in the evening. As they grew older they found his love of rodeo. This brought Shawn back to the arena as well. They travelled down the road to Zancanella’s so Shawn and Jordyn could rope and Cayle could run barrels. He was so proud of the skills his girls developed in the arena. He grumbled about living East River but found some of the best friends he could have hoped for living in rural Aurora the last 26 years. In 2012 the family travelled to Colorado for Neilie’s wedding, meeting the rest of his family- a milestone as this was the first real family vacation he had taken outside of rodeos in his life. His sisters even got him on a raft for white water rafting. He even went cliff jumping! Not surprising given his adventurous spirit and love of water.

Shawn was a transmission line general foreman getting his start working for Jim Boldt with Boldt Power. He worked traveling for the IBEW union until settling in with Excel Energy. Many lineman credit Shawn with helping them get their start and taking them under his wing.

There isn’t enough time or paper to tell people about the type of man Shawn was. I’m not sure you can describe it fully. He was larger than life, had everyone laughing and smiling in a crowd and could do just about anything well. Shawn truly didn’t know a stranger and made friends that spanned the globe. He made lifelong friends and the stories of their good times are plentiful. Some we know, some still to be told and some that will never be told. Behind his gruff exterior was a soft, heart of gold and his friends and family meant the world to him. Getting that call during the day asking “Whaddya doing?” and followed by “Huh!” and “What!” will be missed by many. That quick wit and his unforgettable quips will be repeated for years. When trying to recall everyone he considered a good friend, the list grew too long. Just know he valued you all.

Grateful for having Shawn these 56 years are his partner Steph Kuemper, their children, Jordyn and Cayle; his dad Mike Tibbs; Mom Kathy (Harvey) McPherson; brothers Kevin Tibbs, Brian and Brad McPherson; sisters Neilie (Doug) Goodwin, Mika (Paul) Tibbs Peterson. Mother in Law Diane (Steve) DeSchepper, Brother in Law Chris Kuemper. Nephews Bradyn, Will, Riley, Brady, Breckin, Creighton and Calder; Nieces Molly and Tinley. Aunts Phyllis Gilbert, Jerilyn Lemke and Lila Taton; numerous cousins and extended family members.

Meeting Shawn at the arena in the sky are his Mom, Kay Tibbs; Grandpa Shortlog and Grandma Bethel Tibbs; Grandpa Neil and Grandma Alice Ketchum, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Gene Burgee, Aunt Florence Eliason, Uncle Pat Tibbs, Uncle Bernie and Aunt Dorothy Tibbs; Uncle Gary Gilbert, Uncles Danny and Jae Burgee, Father in Law Bruce Kuemper, niece Willa Peterson, and special cousin TC Holloway.

Rest easy Two Dogs “Sunka Numpa”. Papa Smurf is in the chute and saddled.