Alan Vernon Sherve

Alan Vernon Sherve, 63, of Baxter, passed away Friday, May 15, 2020 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.  A Celebration of Alan’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Crosslake Lutheran Drive-In Worship Center (14019 Daggett Pine Road – Crosslake).  Family and friends are welcome to start gathering in their cars at 12:30 p.m. 

Alan was born June 22, 1956, in New York City, NY, the son of Vernon and Helen (Wischmann) Sherve.  Alan’s dad was in the military and his first years were spent in numerous states, Germany, and Korea before the family settled and made Crosslake their home in 1970.  As a young child, Alan enjoyed sports, climbing trees, and bike rides. He spent as much time outside as he could, especially helping his dad cut down trees.  He loved his brother, Bruce.  In Alan’s mind there wasn’t anything Bruce couldn’t fix.  They were lifelong best friends and Bruce always watched over and protected Alan.  

He graduated from the PACE Program in 1981, which was the special education classes in Brainerd at the time.  Alan participated in Special Olympics over the years and won various bronze and silver medals before claiming the gold in running.  He was very honored by that accomplishment. 

Alan worked for Quality Enterprises and DAC for many years.  He was charged with shredding numerous documents and paperwork and was so proud of the work he did and the paycheck he earned. He truly enjoyed going to “the house” with his second family at the LSS Group Home at the end of the day.  As people came and went from the group home, Alan never forgot those friendships and was so happy to run into them. 

Alan would consistently choose only red shirts, so after a few years that’s all Helen bought.  He also wasn’t often without the glasses he inherited from his dad.  It often made him – and others – smile when he tricked them into cleaning the lenses of his “no-lenses” glasses.  Alan and Helen were very close, and he was her greatest joy.  Even after moving into the group home, Crosslake was always home. He was able to come home every other weekend and attended Crosslake Lutheran Church. His faith was important, and he recited the Lord’s Prayer every night with his mom, and always made sure to say Grace before he ate. 

Alan was never one to shy away from work.  He liked to be busy.  He would cut cards up with a scissor, add numbers to his adding machine, be on the lookout for all the black and blue Bic Pens he could find, and instruct drivers on all the shortcuts from Brainerd to Crosslake.

Alan touched so many with his kind heart, friendliness, independence, and cheerful spirit.  He was always ready with a compliment to brighten your day and those who responded in kind were instantly his friend.  His smile was something he shared with everyone he met – and it was infectious.  He will be missed by so many.

He is survived by his mother, Helen (Ted) Silva; brother, Bruce (Sandy) Sherve, step-brothers, Teddy (Ann Lloyd) Silva and Christopher (Linda) Silva; nephews, Christopher and Andrew; niece, Rachel; great-nephew, Leon; and great-niece, Ramona; many nieces and nephews on the Silva side; his group home housemates and staff; many cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family, whom sent cards that Alan cherished.  He was preceded in death by his father, Major Vernon Sherve; grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

Memorials are preferred to Alan's LSS Group Home - Basswood; Camp Knutson; or Crosslake Lutheran Church.

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