“To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Elizabeth Ann VanderBloemen (Lizzie) of Rhinelander, WI joined a chorus of angels September 27, 2014 at the age of 69 after a courageous and graceful journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Lizzie was born in Plymouth, WI January 23, 1945 to Brownie and Margaret Steiner. She was a beloved daughter and sister. She graduated from Plymouth High School in 1963 and went on to attend St. Mary’s school of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI where she found her true calling in nursing. In her nursing school application she wrote, “I have always wanted to go into the field of nursing and I hope it is a profession in which I can be most successful”. She graduated from nursing school in 1966, and the countless patients who were blessed to be cared for by her during her career as a nurse would say, without a doubt, that she was successful indeed. She worked in Milwaukee and Oshkosh after nursing school before moving to Rhinelander and taking a position at St. Mary’s hospital in 1973. She retired after 30 years at St. Mary’s Hospital, and worked in the CCU, and as an Oncology Certified Nurse, and was instrumental in starting the Hospice program in Rhinelander. Fittingly, Liz and her family benefited and were consoled by the presence of Hospice in the final days of her life. Liz was an inspiration to patients and co-workers alike. She was a loving and devoted spouse and mother. She married Thomas VanderBloemen on August 24th, 1968. They celebrated 46 years of marriage this year. Liz and Tom had two children, Amy (Edward) Kelly who was born in 1970, and Brett (Stephanie) who was born in 1972. As much as can be said about Liz’s talents as a nurse, they pale in comparison to the kind of mother she was. Her children were her greatest joy and to the end she would express her love for them. Liz was blessed with four grandchildren, Jack Thomas (13), Katherine Rose (10), Samantha (8) and Lily (4). She delighted in her grandchildren and will always be remembered for her beautiful laughter, hugs, amazing chocolate chip cookies, and singing “Zippidee-Doo-Da”. Liz is further survived by her two sisters Christy (Glenn) Schumacher and Mary Wittkopp, her brother Charles (Barbara) Steiner, nieces, nephews, other family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Annie. Lizzie will forever be remembered for her smiling face, her joyful optimism, her hilarious and unique sense of humor, her love for her family and friends and her deep commitment to the care of her patients. The family requests that in lieu of other memorials, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Lizzie VanderBloemen. Memorials may be directed to her family or directly to https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=38FB861707327AC2DD1262F4FC9C1974.app201a?11461.donation=form1&df_id=11461&pw_id=1821&_ga=1.232160218.439868084.1402428349). Visitation for Liz will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, October 5 at the Carlson Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church-St. Joseph’s site. You may leave your private condolences for her family atwww.carlsonfh.com The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414/www.carlsonfh.com) is handling the arrangements for the VanderBloemen family.