Elizabeth "Liz" Mitchell

Elizabeth Jean Becker Mitchell, a longtime resident and school worker in Marquette Heights, Illinois, died Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Villas of Holly Brook in Pekin. She was 95 years old. She was born on July 3, 1927, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to Dr. Raymond Brown Becker and Harriet Jemima Horn. Her father, a faculty member in animal husbandry at Oklahoma A&M College, soon moved to the University of Florida and resettled the family in Gainesville. A brother, George, and a sister, Ann, followed before their mother died in 1947. Liz graduated from the P.K. Yonge School linked with the University of Florida, then pursued a degree in home economics at Iowa State College in Ames. She was so excited when she saw her first snowfall that she ran outdoors and slipped down slick steps. There she met the love of her life, Paul Alan Mitchell, an Ames native and Army Air Corps veteran of World War Two. They were a random match at a student dance, and she considered the dress she wore as her lucky red dress. Liz earned her bachelors degree in Home Economics and Experimental Cookery in 1949 and Paul his in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. The couple were married on September 7, 1948, at the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. They moved several times following Pauls career in the Midwest. Lizs employment included stints at the USDA tung laboratory in Gainesville, Florida; the dairy chemistry lab in Ames, Iowa; and Klenzade Products in Beloit, Wisconsin. They ultimately settled in Marquette Heights, where they raised daughters Kay, Sue, and Amy, and son Alan. Their first child, daughter Jo Ellen, died in infancy. Liz worked with local children who needed extra help in reading to succeed, and she even wrote a book with techniques to do so. In later years, her grateful pupils often greeted her on outings. She also prepared income tax returns in season. She decorated cakes, starting with birthday cakes when the kids were young and advancing to wedding cakes for the young adults and other friends and family. Liz was a faithful Presbyterian, serving as treasurer at the Marquette Heights site and later attending the Pekin church. She also was a longtime member of P.E.O. Chapter LM in Pekin. Her activities ranged from reading mysteries and collecting Barbie dolls to gardening, sewing, and knitting. She was a big fan of card games, crosswords, and jigsaw puzzles. She taught her children to swim young, and she was eager to dive into a pool, lake, or ocean no matter how cold the water. She especially enjoyed body surfing into her eighties but was content with just swimming in a pool on her 95th birthday. She proudly placed seashells in her front garden. A confirmed Democrat, she took a keen interest in American politics. She watched both presidential conventions every four years and collected political pins from all eras. Once she awoke and found that Republican Paul had pinned a big Nixon button over a tiny Kennedy button on her nightgown and others on her childrens pajamas. After discussion they decided that family was more important than politics During 70 years of marriage, Liz and Paul traveled around the United States and abroad, including canoeing in Canada, driving to Alaska and Mexico City, and taking a photo safari in Africa. The family often went swimming, fishing, camping, and beach combing. Her favorite vacation spot was St. Augustine, Florida. Liz enjoyed comparing her life with that of Queen Elizabeth, noting similar dates for lifes events such as bearing children. She considered her beloved Paul a far better husband than Prince Philip. She moved to assisted living after Pauls death in 2019. Lizs survivors include her children: Kay Mitchell (companion Josef Brugger) in Oregon, Sue Mitchell (companion Charles Wallace) in Tennessee, Alan Mitchell (wife Connie Liddy Mitchell) in Illinois, and Amy Galbraith (husband Bob) in Minnesota. Surviving grandchildren are: Mona and Mike Copenhaver, Alice Mitchell, George Mitchell, Clark Mitchell, Laura Galbraith, Ellen Galbraith, and Ken Galbraith. Grandchildren Joshua Mitchell Duve and Grace Mitchell predeceased her. Lizs brother, George Becker, also predeceased her. Her sister, Ann (Bob Herrick), survives along with nieces and nephews. Liz's memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, with David Taylor officiating at First United Presbyterian Church, 1717 Highwood Ave., Pekin, IL 61554. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be served immediately after the service, also at the church. Inurnment will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery, Ames, Iowa, at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church. Memorial Service Saturday, April 15, 2023 11:00 AM First United Presbyterian Church 1717 Highwood Ave Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Saturday, April 15, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM First United Presbyterian Church 1717 Highwood Ave Pekin,IL 61554