Elizabeth R. Youngberg

Elizabeth “Liz” Youngberg, age 85, passed away at her home in Woodlands Creek Senior Living Community on April 17, 2025 due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, at Lincoln Cemetery in Knoxville.

Elizabeth Ruth Miller was born on June 27, 1939 to Leon and Esther Miller of Knoxville, Iowa. Liz and her sister, Ellie, grew up under the loving influence of a father who was the mayor and an Iowa Senator, and a mother who was the town librarian. After graduating Knoxville High School, Liz followed her sister and attended Simpson College in Indianola, where she became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was crowned the Campus Beauty Queen her freshman year. It wasn’t uncommon for Liz to have several dates lined up on the weekends. After earning her degree, she began teaching fourth grade at Watrous Elementary School on the south side of Des Moines from 1961 - 1967. Shortly after moving to Des Moines, Liz met Richard Youngberg through mutual friends and they married on July 22, 1964. They had two children, Todd (1968) and Michael (1971). Liz always joked about wanting a daughter because she had to deal with the constant “boys” humor.

Liz retired from teaching to raise her sons, involving them in art, music and collecting baseball cards, all while becoming active in the PTA, school boards and volunteering as a Cub Scout den mother. She joined the Chapter GX, P.E.O. in 1969. She had been initiated into her mother’s Knoxville chapter in 1957. She became very active with First United Methodist Church - planning and organizing many dinners and luncheons, including cooking weekly meals for the homeless. On the rare occasion of Liz bringing leftovers home following a church dinner, it was always a special treat - especially the beef brisket. When she desired to work again, Liz traveled around the state of Iowa for 20 plus years taking school pictures with Evans Photography. She had a gift for making any child smile.

After getting divorced in 1990, Liz sought new adventures and annually vacationed on Sanibel Island with a group of dear friends. She also purchased a time share cabin on the beach in Lake Okoboji where she spent over 30 years entertaining friends and family. Liz valued the importance of maintaining friendships throughout her life. She loved cooking, had a remarkable talent for investing in stocks, played in several bridge groups, participated in Family Forums to discuss pertinent topics, and absolutely loved playing games with the family such as Mad Libs, Beyond Balderdash, and cribbage.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents and sister. She is survived by her sons, Todd Youngberg (Ms. Hyunjoo Kim), Michael Youngberg and nephew Scott (Karen) Ogden, and nieces Lori (Glenn) Lieske, and Janet (Neil) Ogden-Brackett and their families.

Liz was a kind and thoughtful friend to many, a devoted wife, a conscientious citizen, an active contributor to her church and above all, an amazing and loving mother. For those whose lives she touched, she will remain in their hearts always.