Elaine Ruth Desautel (89) resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Valley Vista Care Center on September 10, 2025.  She was born to Emil and Olivia (Bakken) Stromberg on November 18, 1935, in North Dakota.  Elaine grew up on a farm in Harwood, ND and graduated from High School with the class of 1953.

Following high school, Elaine went to secretarial school and met Donald Shannon.  The couple married in 1954 and raised 4 children together in Frazee, MN.  Donald died in 1994, and Elaine was blessed with a wonderful second marriage to Jerry Desautel.  After they married, they made their home in Harrison, ID. 

When the family was in Frazee, Elaine worked for many years in the public school system.  When her and Jerry moved to Harrison, Elaine served as the local librarian for almost a decade.  Elaine was very involved with the small community and enjoyed her TOP’s and Visionary groups.  Some of these ladies became her best friends.  She also sang in the church choir at the Community Baptist Church.

Aside from her deep love of her community and friends, Elaine held strong faith and love for God.  She enjoyed helping with events and fundraisers in Harrison and she also enjoyed word puzzles and writing letters to her friends and family.  She was talented in a kitchen and loved to bake and cook.  

Elaine is survived by her children Colleen Edoff of Queen Creek, AZ, Kay (Jon) Magedanz of Spokane, WA, Keith Shannon of Harrison, ID, and Beth (Kurt) Sass of Chandler, AZ; siblings Pauline (Tim) Snyder of Liberty Lake, WA, Rodney Stromberg of Phoenix AZ, Dale (Janet) Stromberg of St. Maries, ID and Bradley Stromberg of Prescott, AZ.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry Desautel and siblings Joanne Dahlin, Gloria Sauer, & Carol Schoon.  She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

A service celebrating Elaine’s life will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.