Shea Magstadt

shea magstadt
Shea Manfred Magstadt, 29, of Stanley, ND passed away on July 6, 2015 in Stanley, ND. Shea was born in Fargo, ND to Bill and Joy (Swanson) Magstadt on July 31, 1985.  He went to high school at Kindred School and graduated in 2004.  Shea then went on to earn a degree from North Dakota State University in Zoology.  He worked as a Wildlife Refuge Specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Kenmare, ND. As Shea pursued his dream of a job in the Wildlife Field, it took him all over the U.S. for seasonal jobs in Virginia, Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, and Nebraska.  Shea worked for Ducks Unlimited doing bird counts.  He then landed a job in Crosby and was fortunate enough to live with a coworker, Monte and his family.  He talked very highly of them and his family was relieved he had a safe place to live. He then was employed at Lostwood Refuge at Kenmare; he loved the area but not the oil stuff so much.  In the fall you could count on pictures at least twice a week, if not more, from his hunting trips.  His family loved to hear the stories of his friend and hunting partner, Kota.  Kota is a German Shorthair Shea trained himself. Shea is survived by his parents, Bill Magstadt, Leonard, ND; Joy Magstadt, West Fargo; sister, Tenille (Jeremy) Bakko; 2 nieces, Kennedy and Kacee; and nephew, Brooks, all Kindred, ND; half-brother, Jason Magstadt; half-sister, Andrea Magstadt; grandmother, Jane Swanson, Fargo, ND; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his beloved dog, Kota.

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  1. Bill, Joy and Tenille – So very very sorry for your loss of a dear son & brother, Shea! It’s very hard for me to imagine the hurt and loss that you are feeling right now. We have such great memories of Shea and Scott hanging out when we lived in Kindred. Please know that we will keep your family in our prayers.

  2. Bill, Joy, Tenille and family, I am so sorry to hear of Shea’s passing. Praying for Comfort and peace as you go through this difficult time. May God wrap his loving arms around you all.
    God bless you dear friends.

    Love you guys,
    Bill & Marlyce

  3. What a terrible sadness this is for the Magstadt family, I am really struck by his death. There aren’t many memories I have from Kindred that didn’t include Shea! He was a close friend for all those years and into our first years at NDSU. I’ll forever regret not staying in touch in recent years. I know all his close friends probably have a memorable story about a prank he pulled that will live with them for the rest of their lives, I definitely do.

    I am really happy to read that his love for wildlife took him to interesting places and that he had a fulfilling career.

    Deepest condolences,
    David Anderson

  4. Shea,

    Miss you buddy. I was remember all the fun times we had at FLETC together. Having a couple beers for you brother.

    Chuck

  5. I had the honor of being with Shea at fletc. He was a good man and a good person. May he rest in peace. God bless him and his family.

  6. So sorry to hear of your great loss. I still remember that darling photo of Tenille and Shea taken on the farmstead, in their bib overalls. Such a wonderful family you have. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  7. Shea was a co-worker of mine at Lostwood. Shea did a great job protecting the resource, very passionate about conservation. Shea was hard working and respected by myself and the rest of the staff. His interaction with the oil/gas industry to protect our wildlife resources was stellar. Shea and I shared the bond of hunters enjoying the wildlife that we worked so hard to protect for everyone. Most of all, I am proud to call Shea my friend, and I will miss him.

  8. I am so sorry to hear of Shea’s passing. Please know that my family and I have you all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

  9. Bill, Joy, and family,
    Lori and I would like to send our condolensces on hearing about Shea’s passing. I’ll never forget the times in the wrestling room and all the elementary wrestling tournaments the boys attended. Keep all the memories!!!Lean on your Faith, Family, and Friends as you go through this difficult time. May God Bless you all!!

    Terry, Lori, Logan, Lane, and Lex Lunde

  10. Tenille and Joy my heart is there with you. I am so very sorry for your loss. Love to you both. Condolences to all the family, and love to my darlings Kennedy and Brooks. Bonnie

  11. Dear Magstadt family: I was deeply saddened and shocked to hear that Shea has passed away. Shea worked with me at Valentine NWR in NE, and he was a top rate employee and person. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  12. My thoughts and prayers are with Shea’s family and friends during this very difficult time.

    The USFWS family grieves together at times like this.

    Kenny Kessler
    Special Agent
    Topeka, KS

  13. Bill, Joy and family,
    So sorry to hear about the loss of Shea. Take care and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  14. So very sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed visiting during the girls’ sports events. Our prayers are with you all.

  15. So sorry for you loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time! God’s Blessings!

    Sara (Plath) Anderson and family

  16. Magstadt family, so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during this difficult time. God bless you all.

  17. I am so sorry for your loss!

    I did not know Shea well but would stop at his house on the Coteau WPA before or after hunting and talk with him. I knew how hard he worked to manage the resources, and what a great job he was doing, hindered only by the oil work that no body in this field enjoys. I told him more than once that I appreciated and supported his wonderful work with the resources.

    We also shared talks about training dogs and some of the antics that our four legged companions presented both as a house and hunting partner.

    He was most certainly a pleasant, thoughtful and caring person. I will miss seeing his smiling face. We all have lost someone special!

  18. So very sorry for your deep loss of Shea. I know its a deep heart ache. You are in my thoughts and prayers and know that I will pray Gods strength for you.

  19. I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Shea. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. RIP Shea.

  20. Joy, so sorry for your loss. I cannot image what you are going thru. With the Lords help I hope the pain is less
    Bronko

  21. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. No parent should ever lose a child. Shea will be in your heart for the rest of your lives, never forget!!

  22. Joy & Family–
    I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Working with you at the school and watching you everyday throughout the years with your kids I know how much they mean to you! My heart absolutely aches for you! You are in my thoughts and prayers!

  23. My thoughts and prayers go out to Shea’s family, friends and coworkers as they cope with their loss. Shea’s passing is such a tragic loss. Shea had many good years ahead of him and so much to offer. Condolences to the family and all who know him.

    Colleen Graue
    Visitor Services Manager
    Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
    Fort Totten, ND

  24. I worked with Shea at the Lostwood Wildlife Refuge complex, my deepest sympathies to his family, words cannot express what you are going through, just know you are not alone and you have the strength of prayers surrounding you at this time.

  25. I can’t fathom the depth of pain and sorrow you must feel at the loss of your Shea. I can only tell you the loss I feel for never having the opportunity to meet such a wonderful steward and fierce protector of our natural resources. May the love of our Savior surround you and ease your suffering.

  26. I attended Refuge Management Academy with Shea. I’m so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these tough times.

  27. To the Family of this beloved Son! I did not know Shea but my heart goes out to you 4 your loss. When u loose a member of your family at any age, its devastateing to say the least. We dont kno why. My prayers that God may comfort you daily, an grand u his peace, in your time of sorrow. if u want to talk u can call me any time no. is 701 391 1224.In Christ, Lyla.

  28. Shea’s Fish and Wildlife Service family will miss him and grieves at his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

    Jim Kurth
    Deputy Director
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

  29. I am so very sorry for your loss. Shea was my roommate at FLETC. For 4 months he was the closest person to me and felt like family even after we left. I will miss him.

  30. Joy and family, my heart aches for you with the loss of Shea. He was such a wonderful young man, so kind, soft
    spoken and compassionate. His love for the outdoor gleamed in his eyes when he talked about it and always wanted to be one up on whoever he was going against in the next job. He was proud of his hard work and accomplishments to make him the best in the field. He will be missed by all of us.
    Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for your healing hands of all of the hearts that are hurting right now, please continue to guide the family through the days ahead and to let them know you are there. Lord you pick us up
    when we need it most and never let us down. Lord wrap your arms around all of them and let them know you
    will carry them through each day and that your love never stops. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. In your heavenly name I pray. Amen

  31. I had the pleasure of meeting Shea while down at FLETC. I have lots of fond memories of our time together there. Shea was a good friend. You’ll be missed. Rest in piece

  32. We are so incredibly sorry for your loss and we are hoping for some peace in your hurting hearts.

  33. My dear Shea,

    I think it can accurately be said that you weren’t here for a long time but you were here for a good time. Every moment I spent around you was a good time and I know I speak for all who have had the great pleasure of knowing you. You are a gem of a human being with a vibrant and magnetic personality; a class act all the way. May your family take comfort in knowing that you are in a better place and probably feeling sorry for us poor saps still stuck in this mean old world.
    Your friend always, Flemming

  34. I am truly sorry for your loss. Although I did not know your loved one personally, my heart goes out to you during this very difficult time. In times like this I have found comfort in God’s promises recorded at Revelation 21:4 & John 5:28,29, where it is promised that sickness & death will be done away with but that our loved one is safe in God’s memory and we will be able to be reunited with them again. These promises may seem unrealistic because of what we experience now, but I hope that knowing our loving Heavenly Father longs to do these things (Job 14:14,15) can bring you some comfort until these promises are fulfilled.

  35. thinking of the magstad family during this difficult time. Prayers of comfort are being said for your family.

  36. Joy and family,
    So sorry for your loss. There are no words I can say to help. Just know I am thinking of you. Prayers to tou and your family

  37. I consider myself one of the “lucky” ones who got the opportunity to work with and get to know Shea while he was at the Fort Niobrara-Valentine NWR Complex in Nebraska. I will always remember the sparkle in his eyes when he smiled and laughed, fantastic work ethic, abundant energy (had a heck of a time keeping up with him), passion for wise management of natural resources, joy of hunting and fishing, and tremendous love for his family in North Dakota. Rest in peace Shea…you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

  38. Shea was a truly wonderful person. I will always remember his smile and kindness. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.

  39. I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Shea years ago. He was such a nice guy, what a great loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends.

  40. Miss you little brother….Refuge Academy 2012.
    I will never forget picking up on those girls from that wedding at the bar and almost having to walk 10 miles to get back to NCTC!! Your a wildman I wish you could have held on a little longer or would have reached out to someone……What a loss for everyone.

    Your FWS brother.

    Dominic Bachman

    Wildlife Biologist

    Modoc NWR

  41. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with Shea this past year at the Lostwood Complex. Shea was truly passionate and dedicated to his work and the outdoors. He was a true prankster and his office antics always brought lots of laughs. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Shea will be truly missed, but that smile will not be forgotten.

  42. Dear Joy and family, Jane and all of the Swanson family,
    We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
    May the Lord be with all of you. We did not know Shea but watched the video and could see that he was a very special guy. We will pray for you and all of your family.
    Sending our love and prayers,
    Glenn and Corrine Elmore

  43. Bill & family ~~ you are all in my thoughts & prayers! God Bless and give you strength in these difficult days ahead.

  44. I did not know you personally Shea, but you were a part of the law enforcement family. Rest in Peace brother, we will take it from here!

  45. LOVE the video tribute. The pictures of him when he was younger with the dirt all over his face and on the lawn mower is the Shea I knew. I think of those times often – lots of memories on the farmstead you guys had. Love to you all through this and always.
    Tana

  46. I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of knowing Shea from NDSU and working with him on Lake Sakakawea. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  47. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family at this time of loss. Shea was an outstanding manager and had a deep concern and sense of responsibility for the protection of the natural resources he loved. he is going to be missed by many.

  48. Magstadt Family,

    We are sorry to hear about this loss to your family. It is a great sadness when someone dies, even more so when he dies at an early age. Our hearts go out to yours and feel this great weight of sorrow. Know of our prayers, love, and support for you all.

    Joshua, Jackie, and Peter Gow

  49. To the Family of Shea,
    We are very saddened to hear about the loss of your loved one and wanted you to know that you have our deepest sympathy. As parents, Dan and I recently suffered the loss of a daughter and we feel your pain.

    My sister shared this with Dan and I:
    Matthew 11:28
    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

    Please know that we have your family in our thoughts and prayers.
    Dan and Lynn Hall
    (relatives of Tamra and Nick)

  50. Joy and family,

    Our family will pray for you in the coming days as you mourn the loss of Shea. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Dani, Jordan and Jenna Johnson

  51. We are so very sorry for your loss! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
    Love,
    Tom & Sandra

  52. So sadden to read of the loss of Shea. You have my deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  53. Dear family of Shea,
    We are so sad for you all that your son Shea was taken from your family. We will keep you in our prayers, that God will help you through your grief


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