Elizabeth Ann McCabe

Elizabeth Ann (Campos) McCabe, known to most as “Liz”, or a nickname from several of her children as “Lizard” (probably originated by her son, Bryan) of Adair, IA, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her sleep early morning on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the age of 82.

Visitation will be from 12 to 2 PM, Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266. The funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Friday, May 24, also at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway. A light luncheon will follow the service, with a private burial following at Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311.

Liz was born November 1, 1941, in Des Moines, Iowa to Andres and Frances Campos. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Des Moines. Liz and Bruce were originally pen pals during Bruce’s time serving in the Air Force overseas and she met him in person in 1962. Liz and Bruce were married on March 9, 1964, following Bruce’s honorable discharge from the United States Air Force. They were blessed with six children, born from 1965 to 1976.

Liz and Bruce first lived in Des Moines, Iowa. Liz was employed in financial services with various loan companies until the birth of their favorite :) son Bryan. She was then a stay-at-home Mom. Liz and Bruce moved to rural Guthrie County in the early 1970s. They purchased a small acreage west of Guthrie Center in 1976. They then purchased a large farmhouse and had that moved to the acreage and spent 20 years remodeling their home. After all of the children had graduated from high school and moved on to college, she returned to employment as a teller with the Des Moines Postal Credit Union. Unfortunately, she went through a traumatic time where there was a robbery at that location. She then accepted employment at Principal Financial in 2005 and worked in the mortgage and tax departments. She won several awards for suggestions regarding how to improve business processes while employed there. She retired in 2015.

Liz enjoyed traveling with Bruce, whether it was just driving a couple of hours to visit family, to see a grandkid's concert, game, play, or other performance, or to take longer trips, like to Hawaii or Europe. She would be one of the loudest in the audience to clap and cheer for her grandkids. She enjoyed going with Bruce to plays and musicals at the Des Moines Playhouse and in New York City. She enjoyed bowling and was in a league in Guthrie Center, IA. She loved playing board games and card games, including Bridge, Hearts, and Spades, and especially enjoyed playing games with her kids and grandkids. She loved playing “dice”, a.k.a. Farkle, and always had a deck of playing cards, a pen, a piece of paper, and a set of five dice in her purse, ready to break out to start the fun and be the official scorekeeper. She liked to read mystery thriller books, especially those by James Patterson. She also enjoyed crocheting and made many afghans for family and friends, and even won blue ribbons at the Iowa State Fair for her art.

Liz was preceded in death by her mother Frances Campos, her father Andres Campos, brother Primo, sister Katherine, brother Melchior (Mike), brother Raphael (Ray), sister Beatrice (Bea Bea), sister Ramona (Mona), brother Victor (Vic), sister Antonia (Toni), nephew Clark, and great-grandson Knox Reed.

Liz is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; children, Bonita Cunningham, JoLene Bensen, Leslie Kane, Bryan McCabe, Bea Tate, and Beth Krominga; 11 grandchildren; great-grandsons, Klay Reed and Jacob Bensen; and brothers, Nick Campos and Andy Campos.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association in memory of Liz McCabe.

The family thanks everyone for their support and comfort during this difficult time.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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