Obituary of Elizabeth Irene Askelson

Elizabeth “Liz” Irene Askelson, 83, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 8, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice.

Liz was born on April 19, 1937 to Joseph and Olive Colt. She grew up in Duluth’s Central Hillside along with her five siblings. Liz worked as a waitress most of her life and she was an exceptional one! She began at the Bellow’s Restaurant and then worked for 30+ years at the Casa De Roma Restaurant. She made many lifelong friends with her friendly, outgoing personality. Liz had five children whom she raised as a single parent all while working full-time. She was an avid flower gardener and she was truly creative in so many ways. She enjoyed cooking and she was an excellent seamstress. Liz loved going to estate sales and shopping for bargains wherever she could find them! She also loved her canine kids: Gigi, Suzette, and Corsaira. Following her retirement from “The Roma”, she began working as a cook for senior citizens under the AEOA meal program at Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Duluth. Liz truly loved being the “Den Mother for her Duluth Heights Seniors”, this was a labor of love she enjoyed for 12 years, until debilitating, rheumatoid arthritis she had lived with for many years forced her to stop. After leaving her Piedmont Heights home of 40 years, she moved into an apartment at Mt. Royal Pines and then to Assisted Living Care at Aftenro Home of Duluth.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Aftenro for their kindness and compassion towards Liz over the past few years, as well as all the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, we are eternally grateful.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, John “Jack” Colt; a sister, Margaret Heffelfinger; her loving son, Frank James “Jim” Askelson; an infant grandson, Erik Askelson; and her dearly beloved, Eugene “Geno” Foryziak.

Liz is survived by her daughters, Kim (Mike Taylor) Gregg of Duluth, Colleen (Scott) Judnick of Duluth, Loreena Askelson of Superior; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Andy Rose) Askelson of Duluth; son, Wayne Askelson of AZ; a special son, Jeff (Karen) Foryziak of Blaine, MN; two brothers, William (Phyllis) Colt of Proctor, MN and Joseph (Carol) Colt of Scanlon, MN; sister, Joann Olson of Brookhaven, MS; 9 loving grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and her many dear friends.

Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26th at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private family service will be held from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life to fully honor Liz will be held later in the year when we can all gather safely once again. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Aftenro Home, 510 W. College Street, Duluth, MN 55811. Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota Duluth.