Shamla, Elizabeth Magdalene "Liz" September 15, 1977-October 21, 2022 of St. Paul. Liz, beloved wife of Christian Friesen, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by family and friends, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Bonnie and Otto Shamla, and Thomas Robb and Mary Homan, and by her Uncle John Shamla. In addition to her husband, Christian, Liz is survived by her parents, Charles Shamla and Marrissa Lewis; sister Rebecca Duvick (David); brother Donavan Lewis (Kathrina); brother Richard Shamla (Heather); nieces Kennedy and Maddix Shamla, and Jessica Lewis (daughter Lillian); nephew Stephen Duvick (Courtney, son Spencer); step kids; Zach, Haley, Dexter, Ashleah; 5 uncles, 4 aunts and a host of cousins. Liz was born and raised in Glencoe, Minnesota, and received her public and high school education in Glencoe, where she excelled both academically and athletically. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, and a Master's Degree in Organizational Manage-ment at Augsburg University in Minneapolis. Liz was a highly valued employee everywhere she worked. She began her professional career with KRW International. From there she went on to be a Program Manager with Prometric Inc. She then moved on to Questar Assessment Inc., beginning as a Senior Program Manager with a national slate of clients, before becoming State Director, until it merged with NWEA, a research-based organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment and learning solutions. Apart from work, Liz was a passionate traveler and loved nothing more than to plan a trip and then get on a plane with Christian, and occasionally with other family members, bound for a dream vacation. She truly enjoyed spending weekends at the family cabin on Lake John, and she devoted much of her time as well with her two adored dogs, Hazel and Abby. For her, family came first, but close behind were a legion of friends and colleagues who also loved and adored her, responding to the love she gave them all. Liz was brilliant, beautiful, warm, generous, loving, and dedicated to excellence in every aspect of her life.To paraphrase the Kentucky poet Wendell Berry: Radiances know her. Grown lighter than breath, she is set free in our remembering. Liz is now hidden among all that is, and cannot be lost. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Minnesota animal rescue service: Secondhand Hounds. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Published on October 30, 2022