Elizabeth Tautges

What? Our sister has no middle name! How did that happen? Elizabeth always wished she could have a middle name. But that was just the beginning of her uniqueness. Elizabeth was born on Christmas Eve, 1955. With humor, our dad never forgot to remind her that our mother’s labor pains and trip to the hospital interrupted a really good movie he was watching. Over the years, he searched and searched to find that movie somewhere, but alas, he never found it. 

We didn’t know at her birth that Elizabeth’s life was to be a very difficult journey of trials, challenges, and suffering that not many have to endure. She developed juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age seven. Though the disease ravaged her body, she would agree she had many happy, laughing, and funny moments too. She enjoyed people and the companionship of family and friends who gave her joy and fulfillment. Friends, Steve and Mary Frings, were a blessing beyond expectations and helped her in ways too numerous to count. Many friends and helpers over the years
cared for her, and we want to thank each one for their contribution to her life. Cute as a button. Intelligent. Funny. Thoughtful. Caring. Intrepid. Resilient. Elizabeth endured many health traumas, but she continued to push through, day after day, she bounced back, recovered, and kept her sense of humor. Elizabeth loved and appreciated the beauty and wonder of nature. Lilies of the valley
covered her side yard, sprouting faithfully each Spring reminding her of our mom’s wedding bouquet. She looked forward to welcoming the robins that nested on her front door, and she never got enough of watching the majestic deer that graced her backyard in the evenings.
Her God-given talents were displayed in numerous ways. Even with her sweet little hands riddled with arthritis, her pencil drawings were sensational. She was intuitive and looked at details like a true artist. Her artistic wonders included creating a logo for the church. Elizabeth was also gifted with a beautiful voice. She used her talent early on when at six years old, a little speck of a girl, she stood on stage in front of a large audience at school and sang a solo. As an adult, she sang in the church choir and was offered solo opportunities there. Elizabeth, our sister Theresa, and her husband Don, combined their musical talents to sing and play their music at weddings and other occasions. When Elizabeth first met Isela, our future sister-in-law, who is a wonderful musician and
music teacher, Elizabeth couldn’t wait to show Isela her portable organ. And I would be remiss not to mention her favorite singer who meant a lot to her, John Berry. In December each year, through snow, sleet or ice, you would find Elizabeth at a John Berry concert, talking with him, and he, sharing his love of the Lord with her.

After many years of operation after operation, pain, and disappointment, she left behind some of her best character qualities. We couldn’t blame her, though we always wanted better for her. In recent years, we rejoiced as Elizabeth came to truly love the Lord and wanted to exemplify Him. And the promise of heaven gave her hope. She looked forward to that day. Named after our grandmother, Elizabeth (who had a middle name!), she was well-loved by her namesake. Elizabeth left us to enjoy eternal life in heaven on February 8, 2026. We are convinced
that our dear sister Elizabeth is now dancing for joy with Jesus and no longer bound by her disabilities.
Our mom, Evelyn, and our dad, Louis, have already gone to be in heaven. Those of us siblings awaiting our turn at heaven are Raymond Tautges (Isela), Theresa Heger (Don), Jerry Tautges (Joy), Rita Vehon (Tony), and Mark Tautges (Pauline). Her selfless and supportive fiancé, Jack Hess, has already gone to be with the Lord. A big part of her life was her beloved, helper dogs, JB and Bella, who have already passed. Elizabeth leaves behind a bevy of amazing and caring nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. Those no longer with us are grandparents, aunts, uncles, and some cousins. As we say good-bye, and as Elizabeth says hello to Jesus, maybe He will give her that sought after middle name!

The Memorial Service will be on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Friends and family may gather on Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

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