Elizabeth Monks

ELIZABETH MONKS

Elkader

Elizabeth "Liz" Monks of Elkader, 97 years of age, beloved mother and grandmother, died of congestive heart failure Aug. 20, 2014, at the Kavanagh House, Des Moines. She also was known to many in Elkader as "Sis."

She was born in Elkader, Iowa, to William and E. Virginia Witt. She attended local Elkader schools, including the junior college, once a part of the community. She graduated from what was later the University of Northern Iowa, and earned her master's degree from the University of Iowa, taking advantage of the GI Bill. She served as a Navy WAVE in the Medical Corps during World War II and was stationed in San Diego and Corpus Christi, Texas, after her training in New York City. Before her Navy experience, she taught in Iowa and the state of Washington, and then worked in a defense plant in Detroit. After earning her advanced degree, she moved to Roswell, N.M., to teach.

She was married in 1950 and had two daughters before returning to the Midwest to raise her family. She moved with her family to Streator, Ill., to resume her teaching career in 1959. Her marriage ended in divorce in 1961.

Elizabeth retired from teaching in Streator in 1985, and returned to her hometown, where she pursued her many interests in life. She was a volunteer with the local historical society, pursued rock hunting, bird watching and traveling. She was a longtime member of the Congregational Church. She also was a member of the American Legion, Lemka-Stendle Chapter. She participated with the Clayton County Artists group and enjoyed extended visits with her daughters and granddaughters.

She is remembered by many as a devoted teacher, artist, free spirit and loyal and generous friend.

She is survived by two daughters, Merri Martha Monks of Des Moines and Virginia Castle of Ashburn, Va.; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Bonk of Washington, D.C., and Hannah Magargel of Ashburn, Va.; sister, Marjorie Costigan, Elkader; as well as nieces and nephews living in many parts of the country.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, William and Don.

A visitation and memorial service is scheduled for Oct. 11 at First Congregational Church, Elkader. The visitation will be at 10 a.m., with the memorial service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow the service at East Side Cemetery, with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be submitted to the Elkader Historical Society, Carter House Museum, Elkader.