Shane Manning

Shane Patrick Manning, beloved son, brother, and uncle, aged 44, passed away at his home in Amsterdam, NL, on September 3, 2026.

Always one to do things his own way, Shane's unique journey began right from the start.  He was born earlier than expected on March 17, 1982, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota to Dan and Anne (Kneip) Manning.  Arriving on St. Patrick's Day was incredibly fitting for a man from a very proud Irish family, setting the stage for a life defined by individuality and a spirit entirely his own. 

Shane attended St. Agnes Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Vermillion High School with the class of 2001.  He was deeply proud of his time at Loyola University Chicago, where he earned his BA in Economics in 2005.  A part-time job he started during college blossomed into a thriving full-time career after graduation, keeping him in his beloved city of Chicago surrounded by great friends.  Shane quickly rose through the ranks at C.H. Robinson, and in the spring of 2012, the organization presented him with the opportunity to move abroad to Amsterdam as General Manager, Europe.

Being a curious and adventurous person, Shane quickly fell in love with Amsterdam--its culture, the Dutch people, and its incredible accessibility to the rest of the world.  His career allowed him to travel extensively, and he never missed a chance to tack on an extra day to explore somewhere he'd never been.  He often joked about seeing family and friends more often once he moved abroad, as he was a favorite travel companion to many with his broad knowledge of geography, history, and culture, as well as a talent for planning unique experiences.  Shane's parents and immediate family visited him in Amsterdam often, so came to know the city and his friends very well.  His travels took him to every country in Europe as well as Dubai, Thailand, China, Iceland, Mexico, Canada, India, Israel, Egypt, Costa Rica, and Morocco.  Family gatherings and celebrations were a top priority.  Some of his favorite places to spend time in the US included his hometown of Vermillion, SD, Alexandria, MN, Chicago, IL, Colorado, Texas, Charleston, SC, Minneapolis, MN, and Marco Island, FL, where he met his parents and immediate family every winter.

Shane was a passionate traveler, an avid reader, and a music lover who was always chasing the next great concert or festival.  He also enjoyed building 3D puzzles, playing board games and cards, throwing epic costume parties, and hosting his infamous "Holland's Favorite American" 4th of July and King's Day celebrations.

To know Shane was to be embraced by a man who was charismatic, stylish, and incredibly intelligent.  Described by loved ones as impossibly witty, funny, and the absolute life of the party, he was also the most well-read person in the room.  Yet, for all his brilliance and humor, his greatest gift was his heart.  He was a generous soul, a thoughtful host, and the undisputed best gift giver, uniquely known to light up the room and make others feel truly seen and known.  Shane had a rare gift for making and maintaining genuine friendships, creating a vast collection of people from all corners of the globe who became his chosen family.  Whether greeting someone with a warm, familiar "Hey buddy," or offering his signature, laid-back wisdom through quotes, Shane lived life completely on his own terms.

Shane was preceded in death by his grandparents, Margaret (Babe) and Philip Manning, Sue and Gene Dahl, and William Kneip; his aunt, Maureen Vanderhoff; his uncle, Paul Kneip, and cousin Joshua Kneip.

Forever missing him are his parents, Daniel and Anne Manning of Vermillion; his sister and brother-in-law Shanna and Matthew Van Bruggen, and their children Ava, Jack, Theo, and Vivian of Alexandria, MN; his brother, Troy Manning and his son Dylan, of Sioux Falls, SD.  He will also be deeply missed by all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was very close to them and spent various holidays abroad with Tim (uncle) and Shelly Manning and their family.  His memory will be held dear by cherished friends from all over the world, especially his chosen family from Chicago and Amsterdam.

A celebration of life service was held Friday, September 11th in Amsterdam, with friends from all over Europe gathering to memorialize Shane.  Stateside services will include visitation from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 27th at St. Agnes Church in Vermillion, with a prayer service immediately following at 5:00 PM.

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