Elizabeth was born February 22, 1961 in Iowa City IA to Carl Frederick Anderson and Virginia Ann (Waterman) Anderson. In 1996, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mankato State University (now Minnesota State University, Mankato) with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Many of her short stories and poems were published in the university’s student arts magazine.
She married Tom Mihail on May 24, 2002, in Crown Point IN. Before retiring to focus on raising her fourth child, she worked as an in-home day care provider, then as a tutor in a secondary school alternative program, and finally as an early childhood special education paraprofessional.
Elizabeth will forever be remembered for her fierce dedication to family, love of children (she was a natural teacher), kindness, intellect, creativity, unwavering commitment to social justice, advocacy for human and civil rights, and her phenomenal sense of humor. Her passions included rescuing cats and dogs, feeding and watching birds, reading and writing, listening to and collecting eclectic genres of music, playing the piano, gardening and landscaping, sewing (especially personalized blankets for family members and friends), knitting, antique furniture collecting, baking, cooking, school volunteering, Notre Dame football, and the Chicago White Sox.
She and Tom had four children: Alexander Mihail of Hobart IN (wife Kimberly and child Lucas); Nolan Mihail of Merrillville IN (wife Samantha and children Julio, Kai, and Oren); Charles Mihail of Merrillville IN; and Eva Mihail of Merrillville IN. They also had two “honorary” grandchildren: Brayden and Johnny of Portage IN.
Elizabeth is survived by Tom, their children, grandchildren, her mother Virginia Anderson of Rochester, MN, and four siblings and their families: Mark Anderson of Chicago IL (wife Sarah and children Evelyn, Caroline, and Elizabeth); Carl F. Anderson II of Rochester, MN (wife Sherri Whalen and children Margaret, Ian, and Carl F. III); Mary Anderson Sheehan of Alta WY (husband James Sheehan and children Marie, Emma, and Grace); and Catherine Anderson Benscoter of Rochester MN (husband Mark Benscoter and children Sam, William, Matthew, and Marin).
Honoring Elizabeth’s wishes, there will be no viewing or service. Rather than flowers, please consider a charitable donation in her memory.
Her struggles with disease over the past six months are testimony to her strength, love of life, and determination. We are amazed by her.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.KuiperFH.com for the Mihail family.
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