Liz was born Marguerite Elizabeth Dixon in Fort Scott, Kan., on Aug. 9, 1920, and died May 30, 2015, at the Wesley Homes Health Center in Des Moines, Wash.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Ross (Steve) of Olympia, and Kenneth Waln (Maureen Conard) of Coupeville; sister Martha Jean Dixon of Tribune, Kan., and brother James Dixon of Vancouver, Wash. Liz’s husband of 58 years, Rev. Alfred J. Waln, predeceased her on March 21, 2005.
Liz attended junior college in Fort Scott, Kan., where she met her first husband, Lloyd Wood. They were married while he was on leave from the military during World War II.
Woody died in France soon after D-Day and received the Silver Star for his actions. Liz then went to Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., where she met Al.
They were married on August 11, 1946, in Holyoke, Colo.
Al and Liz served American Baptist churches in Shenandoah, Clinton and Oelwein, Iowa; and Methodist churches in Ritzville, White Salmon and Coupeville.
After 19 years as a minister in Coupeville, Al retired from the ministry and they moved to a house on Crockett Lake. In 1997 they moved to Wesley Homes in Des Moines.
Liz loved books, gardening, theater and ballet; but she especially loved music of all kinds. She played the cello from a young age until she had shoulder surgery in 1969.
After moving to Wesley Homes, she volunteered for many committees and activities, and loved the people and sense of community there.
Liz had a strong faith and was blessed with the ability to feel grateful every day for whatever situation she was in and whatever life brought to her.
In the last year or so of her life, she lived in the Health Center at Wesley Homes. She loved all of the people who took such good care of her there, and they loved her in return.
There will be a memorial service celebrating Liz’s life at 2 p.m., June 19, in Logan Hall at Wesley Homes Gardens Apartments, 815 S. 216th Street, Des Moines, Wash. 98198.
In lieu of flowers we would appreciate your sending donations in Liz’s name to Wesley Homes Foundation (Circle of Concern) at the above address (206-870-1334).
