Shawn Allan “ShawnO” Anderson, of Esko, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth after a short illness.  He was 60 years old.   

Shawn was born on June 5, 1964 in Cloquet, MN to Lois (Duzan) and Gerald Anderson.  He was one of 4 children.  Shawn graduated with the Esko High School class of 1983 and went right to work as a service advisor for numerous car dealerships in Minnesota and Texas.  In 1995, He married the love of his life, Cyndi and through this union gained a son, Matthew.  They lived in Texas for 18 years, eventually moving back to Minnesota to be near family in 2023.    

Shawn was the “Life of the party”, always having a huge hug for friends, having the loudest laugh you ever heard and will be remembered for his kindness for others including animals. Together he and Cyndi rescued 11 cats and currently share their love with their four cats, Jaxon, Noah, Lucy and Zoey. Shawn loved NASCAR, fishing and camping, in addition to whatever included time spent with friends and family. 

Shawn will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends; his wife of nearly 30 years, Cynthia Anderson of Esko; son, Matthew J. Finner of Euless, TX; mother, Lois Anderson of Esko; siblings, Curt (Denise) Anderson, Todd (Sue) Anderson and Cindy (Jeff) Salo all of Esko; nieces and nephews, Tricia Pattison, Christopher Anderson, Jason Anderson, Jennifer Ortiz, Danielle Lutzka and Hailey Salo; so many other relatives and friends.  

Shawn is preceded in death by his father, Gerald K. Anderson. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Carlton County Animal Shelter via mail at 1110 Cloquet Ave, PMB 144, Cloquet, MN 55720 or CCARescue.com.  In the Spirit of a great party, the family invites you to a Celebration of Shawn’s life on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Hank’s Bar and Grill in Scanlon, beginning at 2pm and ending when the party is over.   

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN. AtkinsNorthlandFuneralHome.com