Elizabeth (Liz) Kampa Rosenquist

 

Elizabeth (Liz) Kampa Rosenquist, 82, of Jekyll Island, Georgia passed away on January 8, 2022, after almost a year of at home hospice care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Despite her recent health problems, Liz maintained her noted wry sense of humor and steady contact with family.

Elizabeth was born on October 9, 1939, to Marion and Edward Kampa. After Elizabeth graduated from Edison High School in 1957, she married Delmore Leo Rosenquist. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Liz worked in many occupations including packing pickles, Blackie’s Bakery in northeast Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library before having two daughters, Ann Marie Rosenquist and Lisa Kay Montgomery. In 1971, Liz and Del fled the city and bought Solbakken Resort in Lutsen, Minnesota from Mary Alice and Elmer Harvey. Liz ran the front of the resort, answering phones, registering guests, entertaining guests, cleaning rooms, washing laundry and doing all the family cooking from scratch. They also had a big garden and managed to find time for fishing and a yearly family trip to Jekyll Island, usually in a cramped, overladen Ford Pinto. Liz was very active in the Democratic Party and was instrumental in getting John Lyght, the first black county sheriff in Minnesota, into office.

After they sold the resort and moved to Grand Marais, Minnesota, Liz had various jobs including blowing glass, working the desk at the local pharmacy, baking, deli work and real estate. She went back to college in her 50s and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Above all, she was a fantastic homemaker and dedicated mother. Liz was a dedicated Catholic and was involved in the church her whole life.

Liz was a very prolific knitter, knitting way over 200 intricate sweaters, plus puppets, hats, dolls, and more. She was an enthusiastic and accomplished cook and baker. Her lemon meringue pie, among other treats, was off the charts for perfection. She enjoyed bike riding, hiking, shrimping and fishing. Liz was obsessive about playing dominoes. She also enjoyed solitaire, bridge, and mahjong.

In 2013, Liz and Del moved permanently to beloved Jekyll Island after spending many vacations and winters there. They had many large cocktail parties and holiday dinners, inviting many friends, including those with no family.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Edward Kampa, her sister Marilynn Hohman and her nephew Michael Rust.

She is survived by her husband Delmore Leo Rosenquist, daughters Ann Rosenquist and Lisa Montgomery, grandchildren Saffron Rose Straub and Kayla Montgomery, and one great grandchild Graison. Also, she is survived by her sister Kathleen and her children (Richard Rust and Mary Tollefson and her sister Marilynn’s children (Chuck Wagner, Sue Von Hagen, David Hohman and Laura Czech)

Her remains will be interred in Grand Marais at the Catholic Church Cemetery in Grand Marais. A memorial service in her memory and honor will be scheduled in the spring or summer at a later date.

As Liz was a philanthropist giving to many organizations, especially the food shelf, she would appreciate all gifts be sent to your local food shelf.

Cards can be sent to: Delmore Rosenquist, 942 Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island, Georgia 31527.