She fought hard against liver cancer for the last year and a half. Elizabeth was courageous until the very end—and she always made sure she had her lipstick on.
She was born Jan. 18, 1946, in Broadview, Illinois.
Elizabeth is survived by her loving partner of 27 years, John “Michael” Hantosh.
She is also survived by her four children: Deborah (John) Crawford of Geneva, Illinois; Susan Wagner of DeKalb, Illinois; Edward (Jen) Kryger III of Crystal Lake, Illinois; and Alizabeth (Jonathan) Hawkins of Lexington, Kentucky.
She leaves eight grandchildren: Morgan Crawford; Chelsey Chappelle; Molly Wagner; Andrew Wagner; Madison Kryger; Jake Kryger; Carley Maskos; and Trevor Maskos; and three great-grandchildren: Vivienne, Daphne, and Guy Chappelle.
Elizabeth is survived by her siblings, Sharon Pauss of Hannibal, Missouri, and Gerald Pauss of Yucaipa, California, and her niece, Dakota Pauss of Austin, Texas.
She also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Lady, who was always by her side and gave her comfort, and T-Bone, one of Lady’s lively puppies.
She was preceded in death by her father, William Pauss; her mother, Emily (Smrt) Pauss; and her brother, Larry Pauss.
Elizabeth was fortunate to celebrate her 80th birthday surrounded by family and friends the weekend before she passed. She enjoyed ice cream, one of her favorite foods; smiled as everyone sang Girl Scout songs; sat in the sunshine among the flowers in her garden; and spent special one-on-one time with the people closest to her.
Beyond her family, Elizabeth treasured the friendships she made at Mendota Hills Campground in Illinois and Mission West RV Park in Texas. She enjoyed being part of the gatherings, parties and everyday camaraderie that made these places home.
She lived life with curiosity and a willingness to try just about anything. She traveled throughout the United States and visited Mexico, rode her bike along the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin, went whitewater rafting, RVed through the West, camped across the country, cooked for her family, sang silly songs, sewed clothes for her children, decorated her home, played the slots at the casinos, and crafted items for the children at the campground. She was always ready for the next adventure or the next get-together.
She had a special appreciation for the outdoors and often said, “If the sun is shining, it’s a good day.” On the night she passed, a beautiful sunset stretched across the western sky—a fitting final reminder of one of the simple pleasures she cherished.
Elizabeth loved music. She took singing lessons, participated in a local variety show and was known to dance on picnic tables. She was a Girl Scout leader and a bus driver, a collector of many things, a garage-sale fanatic and an enthusiastic decorator. She loved finding treasures on the side of the road and imagining what she could turn them into.
She enjoyed the flowers in her yard, many of which Mike planted for her, and the big, beautiful pond he built at their previous house. She found joy in making a home feel special and welcoming and in surrounding herself with things that brought her happiness.
Elizabeth was spiritual and always believed the Good Lord was by her side. She faced the final chapter of her life with the same courage and faith that carried her through so many adventures. We know she is now looking down from above, watching over all of us.
And, of course, she was never without her lipstick. She truly believed that if you “put on a little lipstick, you’ll be fine.”
That was Elizabeth. She lived with strength, creativity, humor and a whole lot of love. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories, countless stories and the reminder to appreciate the sunshine, find joy in the little things—and don’t forget the lipstick.
Visitation will be held from 12–2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy, Illinois, with a prayer service starting at 2 p.m.
A memorial celebration will also be held at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Geneva, Illinois.
