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Emerson Schaunaman, 8, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at New Life Fellowship, with pastor Rodney Johnson and Pastor Chuck Hogle officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at New Life Fellowship, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is honored to serve the Schaunaman family. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver's Facebook following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the funeral home.

Emerson was born on March 19, 2018, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, to Kelli & Travis Schaunaman. He attended C.C. Lee Elementary and had just begun 3rd grade.

Emerson was smart, funny, and good-natured. He had an infectious, mischievous smile, would talk to anyone, and made new friends effortlessly. He gave hugs like he meant it and had a standing snuggle date with Mom on Sundays and Dad on Wednesdays, but he was always aiming for additional nights.

He played baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. He had an incredible ability to understand complex rules and strategies. He especially loved playing cards and was always lucky on the draw. He generally won, and when he lost, he lost sorely.

Emerson was the house DJ. His taste in music covered everything from AC/DC to Michael Jackson to Christian singer Forrest Frank. He was always searching for a new song to love and listened until he memorized the lyrics.

He was extremely curious and loved to build things and understand how they worked. Legos and kits were his favorite toys and he told everyone he was going to be an engineer.

Emerson was tenderhearted and loved animals (especially raccoons) but nothing compared to his love for his sister, Isabella. Emerson attended all of her sports, cheering from the sidelines. They spent nearly all of their time together and absolutely loved to camp with friends. The two had side-by-side computers at the Production Monkeys office for the evenings their parents had to work late. Their favorite place was the Lego Town they’d built with friends Cade and Sarah. They were inseparable friends.

Emerson was adventurous but cautious, endlessly curious and full of energy. He was the kind of kid who made an impression wherever he went, whether you knew him his entire life or had only met him for a few minutes.

Most importantly, Emerson knew Jesus. He loved his church group and had a faith that gives his family comfort in the midst of pain. We believe that in a moment, he went from doing what he loved with his dad and sister to being with Jesus, without fear or pain.

Emerson was deeply loved by his mom and dad, his sisters, his family and friends. The world is a dimmer place without him. But Emerson made our lives brighter, fuller and better and we will carry that light with us for the rest of our days.

We love you, Emer. We will see you again in Heaven.