Elizabeth Catherine Holzapfel

Elizabeth Catherine (Haltenhoff) Holzapfel passed away peacefully February 4, 2025. She was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, October 17, 1942, to William Christian and Ruth (Colba) Haltenhoff. She is survived by her two sisters: Jeanne Schmaltz and Nancy Semerau; her five daughters: Connie Eaton (Brian), Robin Prue, Mary Beth Medeiros, Cathy Willer (Ronnie) and Kelly Ann Markowitz (David); 17 grandchildren and a plethora of great-grandchildren with great-great-grandchildren now populating the earth. Her son, Jonathan Sherburne Holzapfel II, who with her Savior Jesus Christ greeted her in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
While raising her six children and earning a living outside the home, Elizabeth was passionate about learning. Diligently taking college night classes, sitting side-by-side with her children all doing homework and consistently maintaining her place on the Dean's List, Elizabeth referred to herself as a professional student. She was never deterred in her studies and kept dreaming big about getting her Associates and Bachelors degrees. Then at age 54, in one of her proudest moments, she earned her Masters Degree from Barry University.
Elizabeth lived her life in service to others. Acquiring her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license she tended to the elderly. Then she was called into social service. Working within the Department of Children and Family Services, she excelled to Supervisory level. Elizabeth often gifted the children with trips to Disney World, other areas of interest and comfort to those seeking a safe haven. After her retirement, Elizabeth was often contacted by the children she treasured and valued showing their gratitude to her guidance during their times of trauma and tribulation.
Elizabeth's curiosity of life and desire for adventure had her embracing the Bohemian lifestyle. Her limitless imagination often found her loading her children into the car to literally chase rainbows or trek deep into the woods to build an authentic Teepee and hunt for Sassafras roots to make "root beer," imparting testimonies of truth to her children. When Elizabeth was not scouring the world or walking the halls of academia, she would share her passion through art and the written word, imbuing spirituality and joyfulness of life, learning and Christ into her paintings, poems and stories.
Elizabeth Catherine Holzapfel will be greatly missed. Her wisdom and giving spirit have been adopted by many that were fortunate to have crossed paths with her. Elizabeth has been called home devoid of sorrow, pain and worries. Her tears dried by the hem of her Savior Jesus Christ, her worship pure in her new innocence. We celebrate Elizabeth's life and only hope to live life as genuinely as she did.
Elizabeth had a high regard for the assistance of the volunteer ambulance dispatch and Hospice Care. If you feel compelled to donate in her name, these institutions would continue Elizabeth's goal of providing service to those in need.
There will be a memorial service for Elizabeth held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 900 27th Avenue, Vero Beach, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, time to be announced. Please join her family in celebrating her extraordinary life.