Elaine F. Schultz

Elaine F. Schultz, 77 years old, passed away peacefully on June, 22nd, 2021 at Edgewood Healthcare Facility in Baxter, MN. Elaine was born June 9, 1944 in Valley City, ND; she was the daughter of Frank and Leona (Rutherford) Japel. Elaine grew up on the farm in Tower City and graduated from Tower City High School in 1962. In 1963 she graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND and became an LPN. Elaine worked at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck before getting married to Russel Schultz and moving to St. Paul, MN. While in St. Paul, she worked at Bethesda and started her family: Pamela (1969) and David (1974). In 1974 she moved to Brainerd and worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital until retiring in 1996. You could not take the nurse out of Elaine as she continued to work at Good Neighbor and volunteering to take blood pressures at the Senior Center and the county fair. Elaine flourished in social settings and always enjoyed a gathering. She also enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, Church, the Casino, Elvis, getting together with friends, family and especially the grandchildren. She also liked to shop, especially when she could look for the perfect gift for others. Elaine loved to travel and one of her most treasured trips was with her siblings to visit relatives in Slovenia. She was friendly, quick witted and would often have jokes to tell anyone who would listen. Elaine was simply great company to all that came into contact with her. She is survived by daughter, Pamela Simanski (Lee Simanski) of Maplewood, MN; son David Schultz (Danielle Larson-Schultz) of Brainerd, MN; grandchildren, Tyler Simanski, Dylan Simanski, Paige Simanski; step-grandson, Parker Frederickson; siblings, Arlene Altringer (Don Altringer), Marlys Roney (John Roney), Loren Japel (Sue Japel), Karen Schweigert (Doug Schweigert). Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Leona (Rutherford) Japel; sister, JoAnn Schulte; brother, Marvin Japel (Mary Japel). Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at 11:00am at Halvorson Life Events Center, (512 S 8th Street, Brainerd, MN 56401). Visitation is to be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, from 4:00-7:00pm and one hour prior to the service, Thursday at the funeral home. The interment will take place at a later date where Elaine will be placed to rest with family in Buffalo, ND. Any monies received will be donated to a local charity in Elaine’s honor.