Elaine Shubitz

Elaine Shubitz, 79, of Fergus Falls died cradled in the arms of her Savior in the early hours of Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at the Brown Memorial Home in Fergus Falls .

Elaine Marian Boudin was born on June 21, 1931 in Savage, MN, the daughter of Raymond and Evelyn (Mayer) Boudin. She was raised in St. Paul , MN where she attended St. Luke’s and Central High School . Her mother died at a young age and Elaine mostly raised her two younger siblings, Ralph and Michelle Marie. She worked at various jobs including selling jewelry, retail, and a variety of work at St. Joseph ’s Hospital in St. Paul . Elaine was a professional guitar player and singer throughout her teenage and young adult years. She performed on the radio, in establishments, and toured over Minnesota with her band.

She felt a calling from God and in 1958 entered the convent at St. Scholastica in Duluth , MN . She was a nun for 12 years and felt joy in doing God’s will and ministering to others through music and teaching spiritual education in parishes and Indian Reservations all over Minnesota . Just as she felt led to enter the convent she knew in her heart it was time to leave.

On September 10, 1970 Elaine married Thomas Shubitz, a former priest, in the home of friends by a lake near Fergus Falls . They made their home in Fergus Falls and several years later very unexpectedly, but joyfully welcomed first a daughter, Tara and then a son, Daniel. She felt so blessed to have a new beginning after her years in the convent.

She devoted the rest of her life to being the best mother and eventually grandma she could possibly be. Elaine treasured all family going out of her way to help them and praying always for them. She also enjoyed eating out with friends and for the last six and a half years volunteered at Morning Son Christian School in the preschool classes which brought a light to her life. Elaine could often be seen around Fergus Falls stopping to chat with anyone who had the time. Above all, Elaine’s life was defined by a love and longing for her Lord.

Elaine is survied by two children, Tara (Brian) Koslowsky of Moorhead, MN and Daniel (Megan) Shubitz of Fergus Falls, MN; four grandchildren, Jesse (17), Keziah (15), Sierra (13) and Jonah (10); sister Michelle Marie (Randy) Gregg of Collierville, TN; brother Ralph (JoAnn) Boudin of Forest Lake, MN; and also numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Evelyn Boudin; husband Thomas Shubitz; infant sister Luella Boudin; and one brother, Chuck Boudin.