Shaun Louis

Cihak

Shaun Louis Cihak, 45, of Yankton, SD passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital after a courageous and resilient 4-year battle with a rare cancer known as Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma in the colon and spreading throughout his body.

Funeral services are 10:30 AM, Thursday, November 19, 2026 at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Springfield. Burial is in the Bon Homme Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation is at the church on Wednesday from 5:30-7:30, followed by Wake service at 7:30 PM. 

Shaun requests those attending his funeral wear Shaun's Pit Crew shirts, a racing shirt, or the colors black and green.

Shaun was born on August 21, 1981, in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He was the son of Ronald and Cindy (Dahm) Cihak. He spent his childhood in Woodward, OK with his older sister Lynette, and younger sister Felicia. He began working as a young teen with his first job at the Northwest Inn delivering newspapers and coffee, as well as the meticulous task of groundskeeping (having this job made him vow to mow over any flower in any yard he owned, even against the wishes of his wife.)

Shaun moved between Oklahoma and South Dakota with family members, eventually settling in South Dakota. He attended Bon Homme High School and worked at CR Industries until its closure in 2006. He then applied his talent as a welder at Wilson Trailer for the next 19 years, a position he held with pride until health challenges made it impossible for him to continue working.

Shaun met his wife, Pamela Boyd in June of 2000 while they both worked the night shift at CR Industries. Pam and Shaun were united in marriage on September 13, 2008. They treasured a beautiful life together and were blessed with their daughter, Hannah Amelia, whom Shaun lovingly called, Poohs, Stink, and Champion.

Shaun had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, finding joy in fishing, boating, hunting, and camping. Shaun was an assistant coach for JOAD Archery, inspiring young archers, including his daughter. Whether participating in fundraisers, helping people move, helping with yardwork, or daringly rescuing critters, Shaun’s generous spirit shone brightly. His zest for life extended to the racetrack where he relished in his role as the pit crew guy for Jelsma’s Racing. His passion for racing ranged from small local races to the load roar of engines at NASCAR.

Shaun will be remembered as a man whose warmth, humor, and dedication left an impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. Though Shaun’s life came to an end so early, the memories he leaves behind are a testament to a life well lived.

Shaun is survived by his wife, Pam; daughter Hannah; his parents; sisters: Lynette (Scott) Bugge and Felica (Golden) Yoder; grandma Marlene Morgan; sisters-in-law: Ann (Daryl) Walker, Mary Boyd, Loretta (Paul) Knodel, and Misty (Andrew) Brasch; many nieces; nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Frank and Lorine (Wormsbecher) Cihak; mother-in-law Sally Boyd, and Francis Varilek; step-grandfather Arnold Morgan; and great nieces and nephews: Hope Walker, Nevaeh, Josiah, and Haven Vanden Hoek. Shaun was hoping to finally meet his and Pam’s baby boy, his grandfather August Dahm, and Pam’s father William Boyd.

Shaun, Pam, and Hannah have received enormous support through his journey with cancer. Shaun wanted to make sure to thank all the medical staff who took care of him both physically and emotionally through forming personal relationships with him. Every visit, phone call, message, and prayer from friends, colleagues, and neighbors were very much appreciated by Shaun and his family. Shaun leaves a request for you all to do yourselves a favor, “Get your asses (colons) to the doctor.”