Elizabeth Ann Holcomb

Elizabeth Ann Holcomb (Langham), of Laingsburg, Michigan, passed away on May 13, 2026, at the age of 82, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She is, and always will be, loved by those she knew in life.

Liz was born in July 1943 to Robert and Martha Langham in Lansing, Michigan. She had three sisters—Nancy, Linda, and Jody and a brother, Bob. The eldest of five children, Liz was full of life (and energy) and decided early on that she wanted to be a nurse. Her father once remarked, “Elizabeth, by the time she was four years old, was always playing at being a nurse with her dolls,” and she kept the idea in mind, receiving her degree in nursing from Michigan State University in 1965.

After graduation, Liz provided healthcare to the same school district that employed Charles (Charlie) Holcomb. They first saw each other at a school event and walked away not knowing each other’s names, but both knew in their hearts they would be together. Three months later, in July 1966, they said their marriage vows at The Peoples Church in East Lansing, Michigan.

After briefly residing in Wisconsin, Liz and Charlie returned to the Lansing area to start a family. In 1969, Kathy was born, followed by Mike two years later and Jennifer four years after him. Living on an old country farm in Elsie, Charlie taught at the local school and Liz stayed home to raise the kids, returning to her nursing career once they were all in school.

She began working for Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Counties in 1985. As she advanced in her career, she earned her Master’s in Public Administration from Western Michigan University in 1994. Liz had a long career with CMH-CEI and finally retired in 2016 as the Director for Quality and Customer Service and Recipient Rights.

Throughout the years, Liz and family took time to travel. There were trips to the Hiawatha Club in the Upper Peninsula and many summers with family at Elk Rapids, where she and Charlie spent lots of time searching for Petoskey stones together. She chaperoned a trip to Germany for the Laingsburg High School exchange student program in the 1980s. Her desire to travel did not slow down in retirement. She and Kathy visited Iceland, and on another occasion, Maren joined them to see the Netherlands. Liz also spent time sewing and made many costumes for granddaughters Maren and Kaylee. She knitted socks for friends and family on an antique sock knitting machine. And in September 2021, at the young age of 78, she completed the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge Walk with her daughters.

Liz is survived by her husband, Charlie Holcomb; daughter, Kathy Holcomb; son, Mike Holcomb and his wife, Jennifer Holcomb; daughter, Jennifer Holcomb and her partner, Jeremy Roth; Liz’s sister, Linda Baes (Langham) and husband, Tom Baes; and brother, Bob Langham and wife, Kathy Langham; and granddaughters, Maren Holcomb and Kaylee Holcomb.

There will be a celebration of life held later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Stoneleigh Residence & Hospice of Lansing (https://www.hospiceoflansing.org). The Hospice is a non-profit organization with amazing people that provided Liz with great care and comfort.