K. Shane Neifert

Kriston Shane Neifert, 64 years old, graduated from this mortality we call “life” on June 13, 2024. He died suddenly from a farm accident, being welcomed home into the arms of all those loved ones who went before him. Shane was born on November 12, 1959 in Roswell, New Mexico to Merle “Herk” Neifert (1930 - 2023) and Clara “Lara” Winona Ulsaker. He has one older sister, Julie Ridlon. From a young age and throughout his life, Shane was a curious and tenacious learner, doer, and partaker of life’s adventures.

Shane’s younger years were spent in Rancho Cordova, California and Little Rock, Arkansas. As a teen, he lived near Memphis, Tennessee where he graduated from Auburndale Prep School. Shane joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served a 2 year Spanish speaking mission to East Los Angeles, and Mexico City, Mexico. He cherished his mission, serving and sharing the Savior’s message of love with the Latin American people. Shane continued to fervently serve and share the gospel for the rest of his life. 

Following his mission, he attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a BA in Marketing and Advertising-Go Cougars! Shane met and married his wife, Sherry Whatcott, while at BYU. He worked in the advertising industry and eventually returned to college to pursue his passion, natural health. He graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, MO where he and Sherry remained and raised their family of 5 children until 2019. Shane treasured the opportunity to bless individuals by optimizing their body’s natural healing capacity at his practice - St. Louis Spine & Health. He was beloved to his patients. 

While in St. Louis, Shane served as a volunteer teacher, scoutmaster, and counselor in multiple LDS bishoprics in the St Louis area. One of his favorite callings at church was as an early morning seminary teacher where high school aged youth came to the Neifert house each morning at 6 am before school to study scripture.

In 2019 Shane and Sherry left their beloved friends in St. Louis, and following a spiritual prompting, moved to a farm near Bear Lake, Michigan where Shane spent his days fixing up the old farm house, barns, and fields. He cared for the cows, chickens, dogs, ducks, cats and gardens on the farm.. He found great joy in improving the farm, and was constantly learning the new skills necessary to make the farm and house functional. For 3 years he continued to care for his patients by returning to St. Louis one week every month. He enjoyed serving as Branch President in the Gaylord Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, counselor, clerk, and youth Sunday School teacher in the Manistee Branch, and prison missionary at the Manistee County Prison.

Shane’s passions included family, faith, natural healthcare, great music, freedom, planning ahead, playing sports and games, tubing, fishing, observing and sharing small miracles in nature. He was the king of telling dad jokes told with fun accents! 

Shane is survived by: his mother Clara “Lara” Winona Ulsaker, step mother, Pam Neifert, sister-Julie Ridlon, outstanding children; Jessica (Cody Nelson), Rachel (Felipe Pinto), Seth (Katie), Aaron (Karlee), and Rebekah (Paul McBride) and 16 sweet grandchildren; Annelise, Emma, Jared, Eliza, Jeffrey, Henry, Joseph, Madeline, Sarah, Grace, John, Lucy, Franklin, Annette, Caroline and Abram, multiple nieces and nephews, and aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his father, Merle “Herk” Neifert. 

A visitation will be held on June 22 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (3746 Veterans Dr. Traverse City, Michigan 49684.) 10:00 am EST - visitation  11:00 am EST - funeral.

Recordings will be available for 60 days from date of services.

To Watch Recorded Funeral Service, Click Here. 

To watch Recorded Graveside Service, Click Here.