Body of Overland Park kayaker recovered in Minnesota lake

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A body recovered out of a Minnesota lake Tuesday has been positively identified as a 39-year-old kayaker from Overland Park, Kansas.

Shane White left alone in a kayak on Nest Lake late Saturday evening in central Minnesota.

When he didn’t return, a search began and his missing kayak was recovered Sunday afternoon.

Tuesday morning, divers with the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office recovered a body of a man on the southwest side of Nest Lake.

Several agencies and more than 40 volunteers assisted in the search.

The investigation is ongoing.

His wife, Kim White released the following message Tuesday:

“Our family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers in the search to find our Shane.

“We also want to thank the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, Spicer FD and volunteers and the entire community of Spicer, Minnesota and surrounding counties for their courage, efforts and dedication to finding Shane that we may bring him home.”

“Shane was a loving father, devoted husband, loving son, brother, nephew, friend and a heck of a lineman! He had the biggest heart and was a light to all those around him.”

“I still believe there is power in prayer. The hope from all of you watching HAS and IS keeping Shane alive in our hearts, until we meet again.”

“God Bless and thank you all. “

People who knew White describe him as a positive man who had a smile on, even while working in the rain.

White was a journeyman lineman and part of the Local 53 in Kansas City.

“The world’s missing a, a light,” Ben Bush said.

Bush is talking about Shane White. They’ve worked together for the last seven years.

Bush is the Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers at the Local 53.

Bush said White’s been a part of their crew for nearly nine years and a great journeyman lineman that brings a positive attitude every day.

“You could always count on him to get the job done and to boost morale, put a smile on your face,” Bush said. “I never saw him in a bad mood in the seven years that I knew him personally.”

White built power lines across the country, both Routinely and after natural disasters.

Tuesday morning, Bush got word this brotherhood lost one of their own, White.

“He was a great man, a great lineman, a great husband, a great father,” Bush said.

Bush said the 39-year-old was in Minnesota working 12-hour days and wanted to experience some leisure after working a long day.

“Shane White was a very involved, dedicated member of the local,” Bush said. “Always had a good attitude and boosted morale wherever he was at.”

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