Elizabeth Clumeck

Elizabeth Heineke Clumeck passed away on May 29, 2023 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois on January 18, 1948, the third of eight children to Hilton John and Rosemary Marini Roberts Heineke.

Elizabeth came into this world weighing under two pounds and spent her first year of life in a makeshift crib, a dresser drawer. “She was tiny and feisty,” her mother said. “We could fit her into a shoebox. I was afraid of leaving her in a big crib.” (Baby Elizabeth was named after her paternal Grandmother, Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie/Liz) Newlon Heineke.)

When Elizabeth was seven years old, the family moved to Duluth, Minnesota – in the middle of winter – where snow and Lake Superior became childhood playgrounds. We fondly remember skating nights on our outdoor patio that our father transformed into an ice rink during winter months. Sunday rides, a family ritual, took us from Duluth to the Canadian border where we waded in lakes and streams to hunt for agates and other “buried” treasures. Recognition of our good behavior (10 people in one car!), consisted of a 5-cent Dairy Queen vanilla cone, which we quietly licked all the way home. While in Duluth, Elizabeth was an elementary school student at Holy Rosary School.

At age 11, Elizabeth moved with her family to the Twin Cities where she attended Katherine Curren Elementary School and Hopkins Junior High School until a move to Lewiston, Minnesota, when Elizabeth was 15. By the time she entered ninth grade at Lewiston High School, Elizabeth was exhibiting many artistic and homemaking skills. She enjoyed baking, sewing, singing, and drawing. Her love of children made her a popular and sought-after babysitter. While in school at Lewiston, Elizabeth participated in chorus, winning awards in regional and state competitions; was active in Future Homemakers of America; was recognized for her sewing skills; and served on the Student Council. She was also exploring careers and became a member of a school-sponsored organization, Future Teachers of America.

Elizabeth spent 12th grade at Worthington Senior High School, prompted by a family move when her mother was offered a job as an English/Latin teacher. Elizabeth had opportunity to take art classes where her drawings and artworks were hailed as “brilliant” by her high school art teacher. “She has great talent that should be nurtured,” he said. She won statewide recognition in an art exhibition for a paper mache giraffe she made.

Following high school graduation, Elizabeth attended Worthington Community College and Mankato State College, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in education. She spent ten years as a public school teacher in Sherburn, Minnesota where she taught junior high English and Social Studies, was the 8th Grade advisor, drama coach, and the Senior Class play director. One of her fondest memories was directing the 1974 high school play, Cheaper by the Dozen.

Elizabeth moved to Bowman, ND after accepting a teaching position. Sadly, low enrollment forced her layoff and she never returned to teaching as a career. She maintained much memorabilia and many fond memories from students of Sherburn and Bowman schools. She was recognized, respected, and appreciated as a creative, devoted teacher.

While working as a customer service representative for Sears in Minneapolis, a co-worker recommended that Elizabeth meet Michael Clumeck, suggesting that they had much in common. Elizabeth and Michael were ordained to be married and shared their vows on June 10, 1989 at the Nisswa Community Church. Following their marriage, Elizabeth and Michael lived on Clark Lake in Nisswa, Minnesota before moving to California to be closer to Michael’s mother and siblings.

Michael and Elizabeth enjoyed life in California and spent time exploring much of the state’s recreational and cultural offerings, enjoying holiday gatherings with family, and participating in their community church. They particularly enjoyed entertaining Elizabeth’s mother, Rosemary, during her visits to California. Trips included going to the San Diego Zoo, Vasquez Rocks, the Mission at San Juan Capistrano, the Carlsbad flower fields, Newport Beach, and Balboa Beach. A favored trip with Rosemary was visiting Solvang and consuming a bowl of pea soup after admiring the flowers and exploring the shops. Elizabeth was very pleased to have Rosemary and Joan Clumeck, Michael’s mother, together in California for Mother’s Day in 1996. Among their activities was a trip to Laguna Beach.

Elizabeth loved being married to Michael. They were kindred spirits and shared many similarities for games, words, spirituality, food, new adventures, and fun.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband; siblings Linda (David) Sholes, Kathy Giglio, Susan (Cass) Mackert, Michael Heineke, Mary (David) Haertzen; sisters-in-law Marsha Heineke and Mary Clumeck; brother-in-law Harold (Steve Wickson) Clumeck; nephews and nieces Billy, Jennifer, Matthew, Krista, Tyson, Molly, Noah, Micah, Ross, Jeremy, Adam, Sarah; and many great nieces and nephews. (Elizabeth is dearly remembered by nieces and nephews for the full ‘envelope of surprises’ she would send.)

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Hilton Robert and David William, and her very special four-legged friends, Sparky and Patches.

Be at peace, Elizabeth. Know that you were loved and will be missed.