Elaine Shumway has spent a lifetime serving her family, her community and the people of Pahranagat Valley.

Born April 29, 1944, in Roosevelt, Elaine was the fourth of five children born to Harold and Waldine Sorensen. She was raised in the farming community of Talmage before her family moved to Nevada in 1959 after purchasing and operating Ash Springs.

Elaine graduated from Pahranagat Valley High School in 1962. That same fall, she married Nolan Shumway, who had been born and raised in Pahranagat Valley. Nolan attended Southern Utah University, served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and later worked for the Nevada Highway Department.

During their early years together, the couple welcomed their first three children – Vern born in Las Vegas; Christine, born in Caliente and Marci, born in Fallon. In 1970, Elaine and Nolan returned to Alamo and purchased the local grocery store from M.K. Stewart. The Shumway family worked side by side, operating the store while also helping care for a cattle herd alongside Charles and Verla. Their younger children, Kyle and Susan, were both born in Cedar City. During those years, Nolan also served as a deputy sheriff for Lincoln County.

Elaine often reflects on how grateful she and Nolan were to raise their family in Pahranagat Valley, surrounded by loved ones and a close-knit community they cherished.

After selling the grocery store in 1993, Elaine began working for the Lincoln County School District as a paraprofessional, a role she held for 27 years. She became a familiar and beloved presence in the schools, working as a librarian and assisting Charlene Bowman with school music programs. Elaine says some of her greatest joy came from working with children and being part of their education and growth. She retired in 2020.

In 2011, Nolan passed away as the couple was preparing to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Though deeply missed, his memory remains an important part of Elaine’s life and the family legacy they built together.

Today, Elaine looks back with gratitude on a life rooted in the beauty and values of Pahranagat Valley. All five of her children graduated from PVHS and have gone on to build successful lives of their own. Elaine’s family includes Vern (Ginger), Christine, Marci (Brian), Kyle (April) and Susan (Ken), along with 20 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

“Our family is our greatest treasure,” Elaine said.

As this year’s grand marshal of the Wild West 250 Independence Day Parade, Elaine Shumway represents the qualities that define small-town communities. Shumway demonstrates hard work, dedication to family, service to others and a lifelong love for Pahranagat Valley. The parade is July 4 and begins at 9 a.m. in Alamo.