Elsie Jean Shereck

Elsie J. Shereck, 80 of Devils Lake, formerly of Tabor, Minnesota passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the Lakota Good Samaritan.

Funeral Services for Elsie will be on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND with a time of fellowship to follow. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday.

Elsie Jean was born on August 15, 1945, at Fordville, North Dakota, the daughter of Edgar and Martha (Ward) Pfannsmith. She attended Fordville Public School and graduated from Fordville High School. She continued her education at the Aaker School of Business in Grand Forks, ND majoring in accounting.

Elsie was united in marriage to Ronald J. Shereck on May 29, 1965, in Lankin, ND. They lived for a time in Grand Forks, but then moved to a farm at Tabor, Minnesota where they lived, worked, and raised their girls, Melissa and Wendy. Elsie was a devoted wife and mother, first and foremost but also worked as a CNA at the Warren Nursing Home, at Arctic Cat in Thief River Falls and as a Home Care worker in the Grand Forks area. The Shereck’s opened their hearts and home to two foreign exchange students that Elsie kept in contact with through the years; Leah from Costa Rica and Roman from the Czech Republic and two foster sons Lynn Shereck and Courtney Shereck. They were all part of the family of love shared and treasured.

However, their passion for 54 years was polka and old-time music. They were members of the Polka Club of America for many years. They travelled the country attending Polka Festivals and Polka events every chance they could. For 22 years, they hosted a 4-day Polka Fest at the farm. This was such a popular event, it was even broadcast from the farm on the local radio station. Elsie and Ron hosted a radio show on Pioneer 90.1 radio in Thief River Falls where they were known as “Swinging Elsie” and “Polka Ron.” They also taught old-time dance lessons for many years.

When Elsie’s feet were off the dance floor she was in her garden; planting, tending, harvesting, and canning the produce. She was an excellent baker, cook and sold her many craft and canning creations at the local Craft Shows, and Farmer’s Market. She also created beautiful memorial flowers for families to honor their loved ones’ final resting places.

Elsie made her home at Tabor until Ron’s death on February 24, 2022. She then moved to Devils Lake and called it home until her passing.

Elsie is survived by her loving family. Melissa and her husband Terry Knutson, Rolla, ND; precious grandchildren Becky (Dusty) Everding and Brandi (Blaine) Rau all of Devils Lake, Chris Knutson (Baleigh) of Fargo, ND and Dylan (Skye) Reitmeier of Gilbert, Arizona; dearest great grandchildren Adley and Teagan Everding, Caysen, Kynzlee, and Emersyn Rau; many nieces and nephews and their families.

She was reunited with her parents, husband Ron, son Kevin at 3 days old and daughter Wendy Reitmeier, sisters Betty Brintnell and Darla Huderle, brother Clyde Pfannsmith and in-laws Leonard and Marcella Shereck.

Goodbye to you, with whom I’ve shared this wondrous gift of life. Enjoy the dance, life’s sweet refrain, for love is timeless as the stars, and I will dance with you again.