Obituary of Elizabeth Leigh Fluegel

Fluegel, Elizabeth Leigh known to her extensive circle of friends and loving family as Liz, Eliz, and Betsy, died Tuesday, August 27th, 2019 in Minneapolis, surrounded by loved ones after suffering a series of strokes. She liked to say that she was "35 for the umpteenth time," so we will just say that she was the youngest of the four Fluegel siblings. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. John and Eileen O. Fluegel, and survived by her boyfriend, Mark Watson, siblings Kathleen Fluegel, John Fluegel, Jr., Mary (Owen) Floren, nieces Courtney (Ben) Mauser, Melissa (Josh) Nielsen, great-nephews Mikey Johnson, Andy and Benny Mauser, and her devoted cat Tia. Liz attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota where she developed a life-long passion for making and living with art. She was especially influenced by her professor, the painter and art historian Sister Baulu Quan. Her first professional job was as a traveling photographer, and she had an extraordinary knack for charming both parents and children as she captured their portraits. A gifted designer, Elizabeth worked at a number of suburban newspapers in the Twin Cities before she began a long and successful career as an IT professional. In that role, she developed lasting friendships and helped companies ranging from telecommunications and health care to insurance and education solve challenging technology problems. Her tech skills were matched by her good humor, sharp wit, and patient nature. Elizabeth and select friends were fans of science fiction, Omnifest, and of live theater at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater and the Guthrie, as well as of fun and fanfare at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Elizabeth was a passionate reader and library patron, and a supporter of children's literacy. She delighted in sitting down with a cozy mystery and sharing books with her nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Friends of the Hennepin County Library for children's book acquisitions, or to Reading Partners Twin Cities. Very special thanks to all of the compassionate and skilled caregivers at Hennepin County Medical Center. Services will be held on Friday, September 6th at St. Joan of Arc Church at 4537 - 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis 55419. Visitation at 10:00 a.m., Funeral at 11:00, followed by a luncheon.