Elizabeth "Liz" Rothenbuehler

Elizabeth, “Liz,” Rothenbuehler, age 74, of Cross Plains, Wisc., passed away in the arms of her loving companion, Patrick, on August 9, 2021.

Liz was born on December 14, 1946, in Sheboygan, Wisc., to Gladys E. and Herbert B. Schultz. She attended Jefferson Grade School and North High School. She received her degree in Health Information Management from Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wisc., in 1978.

Liz served as the director of medical records at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, as well as a sister hospital in Oklahoma City. After moving back to Madison, she worked as a consultant before moving into sales at Cerner Corporation, a healthcare software company. In the final seven years of her career, Liz was an independent contractor and trainer, assisting in process redesign of health information management departments that purchased computer systems, as well as training staff on the use of those systems.

Liz loved life and was constantly seeking new discoveries – from food and restaurants to kitchen gadgets, games, and beauty products. She loved to travel and visited Mexico every spring for close to two decades. In recent years, she traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, California, and Virginia. For her 70th birthday, she chose to celebrate in style while wearing a princess tiara at Disney World.

As one of those “Energizer Bunny” types who never sit still, Liz loved to be active. She had a mean golf swing, shooting the ball straight up the fairway hole after hole. In recent years, she discovered darts and was downright fanatical for a year about pickleball. She absolutely adored games of all kinds, inviting or coercing (whichever approach was needed) to get her companions and guests to join in the fun.

Liz also loved the outdoors. She enjoyed fishing and camping and achieved her dream of owning a cottage for a number of years in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she and her husband, Gary, hosted family and friends for many happy and memorable visits. The grandkids still talk about catching frogs, cocktail cruises, and Fourth of July boat parades and fireworks shows.

Liz was blessed to find three great loves in her life. She knew the minute that she met him that she would marry Greg Hofmeister (of Brooklyn, Wisc.), the father of her children. Although their relationship did not last a lifetime, she honored their time together and appreciated their ability to remain friends. Her second husband and “soul mate,” Gary Rothenbuehler, became a beloved second father to her children during their 17 years of marriage. In late 2019, she met and fell in love with Patrick McMurtry, who asked her for a dance and gave her a lifetime of love in the short time they were able to be together.

Since November 2020, Liz had been dealing with complications from cancer that required a tracheostomy. Unable to eat, drink or speak in her usual manner, this normally non-stop talker took her new life in stride and focused on living the best she could, while laughing as much as possible. In one of her more memorable texts, she sent out a picture of her with her balding head side-by-side with a baby orangutan, claiming that she wore the hairdo best.

Liz had recently sold her home in Cross Plains and was staying in the area to finish chemo treatments at UW-Madison Hospital, which she did the week before her sudden passing. She was planning to recuperate and visit local friends during August, before relocating permanently to the sunny Southwest. What’s that they say about God and plans?

Liz’s family would like to send a special thanks to her incredible group of Arizona friends. You will always be our family. We would also like to thank her amazing neighbors in Cross Plains for their invaluable support, love, and kindness this summer. Liz was blessed to have you.

Above all, we wish to acknowledge the extraordinary care that Pat provided Mom. There are no words to properly express our thanks for the joy and love you gave her or the selfless way you protected and cared for her. Although she left us much too soon and unexpectedly, we take comfort that she was with you at the end and knew how much she was loved.

She is survived by Patrick, her significant other; her children Jenny (Hofmeister) and Bill Hamby of Plainfield, Ill., and Emily (Hofmeister) and Andy Zimmerman of Hudson, Wisc., stepson Matt Rothenbuehler and Rachael Walker of Mount Horeb, Wisc.; stepdaughter Melissa Babin; grandchildren Maggie and Ryan Hamby; Grace and Nate Zimmerman; Izzy, Harry and Max Walker; and Kayla and Zach Babin; brothers Steven (JoAnne) Schultz of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Dave (Sue) Schultz of Hartford, Wisc., and four nieces she adored. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Gary Rothenbuehler, her parents, and an infant brother.

Liz’s wish was to have a celebration of life at Pleasant View Golf Course. Plans are in the works, with a possible date in mid-October or Spring 2022. Please contact the family if you would like updates as plans develop.

In lieu of flowers, Liz’s family invites you to raise a glass in celebration of our incredible mother, sister, friend, and mate (dirty martinis were her favorite) and take yourself on a mini-adventure, such as trying a new activity or exploring a new restaurant. If you prefer a more traditional remembrance, memorials may be directed to the Carbone Cancer Center.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a ride!”

~ Hunter S. Thompson

Mission accomplished, Liz. XOXO

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406