Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Elizabeth Koles
Elizabeth (Van Ginhoven) Koles, age 86, of Fall Creek, went home to be Lord on Monday Sept 8, 2014. She was proceeded in death by her husband Bob and is survived by her daughter Christine Stegenga of Pickens, South Carolina and her son Robert Koles of Springfield, Virginia as well as three brothers (Jack, John and George) and a sister (Connie) and seven grandchildren.
Liz was born on October 22, 1927, in Long Island NY to Herbert C. and Elizabeth Van Ginhoven. She grew up the daughter of a Dutch bulb grower…one of 10 brothers and sisters. She attended Plattsburg State Teacher’s College in upstate NY. After graduating in 1948, Liz taught elementary school for nine years, including teaching overseas for the Department of Defense School System. While teaching at Wheelus AFB in Tripoli Libya in 1955, she met her husband-to-be, an Air Force fighter pilot. She married Bob Koles on August 9, 1958 in Salisbury Maryland.
Liz supported Bob throughout the remainder of his 32 year Air Force career, overseeing and caring for the squadron wives, managing a family of their own and half dozen family moves, including overseas assignments to England and Germany. She as a devoted wife and mom. She and Bob were married nearly 53 years.
Liz was a true animal lover. From the band of chippies and the occasional flying squirrel she sometimes hand fed, to the deer, squirrels, black bear, and every type of winged critter (birds, bats, butterflies and even lady bugs), she cared and loved all of God’s critters. There were very few years of her life that she was without a dog or a cat or several of each in our home. Collies were her favorite. She loved gardening, canning, and made the world’s best homemade apple sauce. She also enjoyed cross-stitching and quilting and left us a legacy of beautiful handiwork
Liz has been an active member of St Bridget’s Parish for over 40 years, where she served in various roles including church Sacristan, Secretary of Ladies Alter Society, member of the Parish Counselor and Church Treasurer. She also volunteered at Beaver Creek Nature Center and at the Fall Creek Nursing home for many years.
Visitation for friends and family will be at Anderson’s Funeral Home in Augusta on Friday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass for Liz is on Saturday, September 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at St Bridget’s Catholic Church, 2801 N 110th Ave, Chippewa Falls, followed by burial at St Bridget’s cemetery and a luncheon at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial gifts for either Beaver Creek Nature Reserve or St Bridget’s Parrish.
