Elaine Louise (Johnson) Mabeus, 82

 Elaine Louise (Johnson) Mabeus was born in Pitt, Minnesota, close to Baudette, on August 2, 1942, to Richard and Ruth (Sunne) Johnson. She had an older brother and sister, and a year after she was born, another sister.  Elaine lived on a farm in the Wabanica area until about eight years old, when the family moved to town (Baudette). 
A couple more short-term moves followed, and while living in the Border area east of Baudette for a couple of years, Elaine attended the Border country school during junior high before moving back to town (Baudette) and attending Baudette High School.  Before starting her senior year of high school, with the advice of her doctor that she go to a warmer climate because of a medical condition, Elaine went to San Diego, California, to live with her future husband’s parents. She earned her GED during this time.

Elaine passed away on September 29, 2024, at the Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona.

Elaine and Willis Mabeus were married in 1960. They first lived in Lincoln Acres, California, before purchasing their first home in Chula Vista, California. Willis worked for Standard Oil, and Elaine was a housewife. They had three daughters – Rene, Sheryl, and Karen. They lived there until 1972 when Standard Oil Company transferred Willis to the Seattle area. Willis passed away in 2007, and Elaine remained in her home until 2023, when in failing health with dementia, she went to live with her daughter Sheryl in Arizona and, for the last few months, had to move to Rustic Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, a memory care unit close to Sheryl and Tom.

Elaine and Willis had many fun times traveling in their motorhome. They rarely missed a year without coming to Baudette to visit family and friends. They both had a passion for motorcycles and street rods and were active in the clubs for both. Elaine had other hobbies as well. She loved yard work and flowers and kept their yard perfectly groomed. She was a seasoned seamstress, taking an interest at a very early age. She loved prospecting for gold and was proud of the little nuggets she found while panning with daughter Sheryl and Tom. She never missed a class reunion so she could catch up with her former classmates. But her favorite pastime of all was spending time with her family and enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with whom she left a loving legacy. 

Elaine’s life was not without heartbreak. They lost their youngest daughter, Karen, in 1988. Karen was married with two young children. Elaine had a big part in their upbringing. Her husband, Willis, died unexpectedly in 2007. She lost her oldest daughter, Rene, in 2020.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Ruth and Richard Johnson, her brother Richard Johnson, her sister Elda Kartes, her husband Willis Mabeus, daughters Karen Fuller and Rene Mabeus,  and nephew Matthew Kartes, as well as many extended family members.

Elaine is survived by her sister Eileen (Larry) Olson, daughter Sheryl (Tom) Cammarato, and grandchildren Sara (Nate) Cluckey, Selena (Jake) Halverson, Beth (Tim) Wiese, and Herb (Heather) Fuller. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Shane Cluckey, Carter and Emma Halverson, Grace, Ophelia, and Adelaide Wiese, and Peyton and Melodie Fuller, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for a later date.