Elizabeth Burgweger

Elizabeth Bronwyn Burgweger (Litzie) died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 3, 2014 of complications from cancer. Born in Evanston Illinois on October 20, 1948, Litzie grew up on a dairy farm in Kirkland Illinois, where her brother still farms.
Growing up on the farm established a life-long connection and respect for Mother Earth and a love of gardening and animals. Being the daughter of a debutante, Litzie learned well the lessons of graciousness and decorum - she was a terrific dancer, superb conversationalist and an outstanding hostess - but also had her own views and approach to life. She attended Kirkland Grade School and graduated from Sycamore High School in 1966. She attended (and graduated from) the UW-Madison during the turbulent late sixties and after college spent a year with a good friend criss-crossing the country in a VW van affectionately known as "Klink".
She learned TM in college as so many of us did and also embraced yoga early on, those disciplines forming the ground work of a spiritual practice which grew in richness and depth over her life. She was a Buddhist Lama, a Oneness Deeksha giver and Trainer, and a Monk in the Celebrating Life Spiritual Community. Above all she believed in the oneness, not as a spiritual platitude, but as a very real expression of her life and the spirit she felt flowing through her and each and every one of us.
Early in her career she worked for Rep David Clarenbach at the State Capitol and also pursued free-lance writing and advertising work. As Senior Employment Rep. for AnchorBank she used her people skills and communication daily, encouraging employees in growth and development, using her creative writing talent on ads for employment to attract the best candidates, and she also spent many years as the editor of the employee newsletter writing a well-received column for each issue called "Litzie's Logistics".
Litzie was a true jewel with infinite facets - she was a creative artist putting her stamp on every part of her life and sharing generously of herself in every arena she participated in. She loved singing, painting, animals - from the cats, dogs and raccoons who were part of the life at the farm to her own pets, most recently her kitty Kali who was adopted from her former brother in law; decorating her home for holidays - at Christmas her home was filled with decorations from top to bottom - she had a live tree filled with light and other trees decorated with ornaments collected over the years as well as collections of Santas, nutcrackers and Snowmen throughout her home - it was a true manifestation of the holiday spirit; she loved to garden - transforming the outside into gorgeous groupings of color and textures as she put various flowering plants and vines together to stunning effect; looking every year for a new area to transform from grass to something more; she loved being outside walking or biking or just enjoying her yard; she loved to travel ; and she loved sharing herself and what spirit meant to her in the amazing events she held at her home in the past decade.
Litzie is survived by her brothers: Kip (Kath) of Cos Cob, CT; Jeff (Cathy) of Brooklyn, WI & NC; Henry (Pat) of Kirkland , IL; Bill (Rose) of DeSoto, KS; foster brother Larry Tunnison of Rockford, IL; nieces & nephews: Lauren, Seph, Sherm, Brek (Kelly), Carrie Megginson (Tim), Bronwyn, Cruiser, Chesney, Ben, Christopher, Rebecca, Shelly Taylor (Scott), Sandy Timmerman (Mike); and great nieces & nephews: Chloe, Lucy, Cooper, Presley, Lauren, Ian, Stephanie, Max and Chase and two very dear friends, Michael Davis and Susan Frisbie. She also leaves behind countless friends.
Litzie approached the cancer diagnosis as she approached most things in her life looking for whatever help was available on the physical, and looking to her spiritual resources to go within to do whatever healing part was hers to do. Those of us left behind will deeply miss her physical presence, but we can be comforted knowing her light continues to shine brightly. As one dear friend said: "My sadness is tempered by the awareness that your beauty, joy and gracefulness is now able to express in a container that reflects and enhances that. Dance joyously dear one. Celebrate a life well lived and utilized. I know we shall all dance together again. The sound of your infectious laughter transcends boundaries and I smile. Peace to all who feel the loss of this Bodhisattva on earth.... "
A Memorial Service celebrating Litzie's life is being held in Madison on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Gates of Heaven, 302 E. Gorham St., Madison, WI 53703. There will be an opportunity to share your remembrances of Litzie. A time for fellowship and refreshments will follow at 4:00pm at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1609 University Ave, located at the corner of University Ave and Breese Terr, Madison, WI 53726.
Please join Litzie's family on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Peter's Episcopal church in Sycamore, Illinois for a Memorial Service to celebrate the incredible, full, joyous life that was Elizabeth Bronwyn "Litzie" Burgweger. The church is located at 218 Somonauk St. in Sycamore, IL 60178.
The service will be followed by refreshments at the Fargo Hotel, 355 W. State St., Sycamore, IL 60178. Later, there will be a service to spread some of her ashes on her beloved farm and a brief graveside service followed by more celebration of her life, also at the farm.