Elaine Buresh

Elaine Doris (Schmalz) Buresh, age 91, concluded her journey on Earth to enter heaven on September 10. She passed away in peace at St. Gabriel’s Benedictine Living Community with family by her side. 

Elaine was born in the Fayette Hills of Dunn County, North Dakota on February 4, 1933, in her parents’ sod home which was the converted, former St. Peter’s Catholic Church. It was perhaps this initial experience and education into the Catholic Church that was influential in leading her to a life devoted to the Catholic faith, and of her being a dutiful follower of Jesus Christ's teachings.

Elaine graduated from Killdeer High School, earned her teaching certificate, and taught in the one room school houses in the Fayette and Oakdale School Districts, respectively. Elaine then married the love of her life, John Buresh. They remained together as husband and wife for 71 wonderful years. 

In 1960, Elaine and John moved to Towner, North Dakota, where they raised six children. Being the Dunn County girl that she was, Elaine made sure there was a little bit of her life from back home with her in Towner when she had her two horses in the pasture so she could see them from her kitchen window. Elaine took pride as a successful homemaker, taking care of the children, raising a large garden, and maintaining an immaculate flower garden. She also enjoyed feeding birds, decorating the house for holidays, cooking wild game, entertaining family and friends, and seeing her grandchildren.

Elaine was an active member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Towner where she was a member of the Christian Mother’s Association. Elaine also taught Catechism at the Church for nearly two decades.

Elaine is survived by her loving husband, John; five children, Shelley B. Tofte, Lori (Mark) Jahraus, John (Laurie) Buresh, Jeff (Tammy) Buresh, and Dan Buresh; sister Anabelle (Jerry) Weber; eleven grandchildren, Eric (Kelly) Tofte, Emily (Jared) Nestaval, Ellery (Chad) Lystad, Tim (Brittany) Jahraus, Elisabeth (Shane) DePinto, Paul (Angela) Jahraus, Alex (Heather) Buresh, Anna Buresh, Davis Buresh, Alia Buresh, and Fred Buresh; and twelve great-grandchildren, Estella Tofte, Evan Tofte, Brody Tofte, Brecken Tofte, Eddie Nestaval, Eva Nestaval, Everett Lystad, Luke Jahraus, Lillian Jahraus, Jack Buresh, Gordon Buresh, and Liam Buresh-Strehlo; and many nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by daughter Joni; parents Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz; and brothers William Schmalz and LaVerne Schmalz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 13, 2024 at Corpus Christi Church, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church with a rosary service beginning at 9:10 AM. 

Use this link to view the service livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@CorpusBismarck/streams 

A burial will be at 2:00 PM at Saint Cecilia's Catholic Cemetery, Towner, ND.