Elizabeth J. Vinzant passed away peacefully on July 11, 2013. She knew the Lord and deeply believed she was passing into his arms.

Elizabeth was predeceased by husband Warren E. Vinzant and sister Josephine Krauss. She is survived by sister Frances Krauss of Macomb, Michigan, son Warren J. Vinzant of Castro Valley California, and daughter Elizabeth L. Sumers of San Diego California. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Those who came to know her were touched by her bright warm eyes and generous heart. She was always there for her children, extended family, friends and others in need. Her generosity inspired many. Elizabeth was a very smart woman who could take on any challenge. She obtained her private pilot's license in 1948, when it was uncommon for women to do so. She tackled any problem without fear, even fixing her own computer.

Both Elizabeth and her husband came from humble beginnings and built a prosperous and successful life together. She was born in Detroit Michigan in 1922. Her parents had emigrated from Austria. They lived in Detroit where her father worked for Fisher Body, then moved to a farm near Mt. Clemens when she was three years old. After graduating High School, she worked at Selfridge Field, Michigan as an administrative assistant. It was there that she met her future husband, a fighter pilot. They were married January 17, 1942. WWII intervened in their lives, with her husband stationed in many locations both in the USA and in the war zone.

After the war, together they made a 28-year career in the Air Force, and lived in many places around the world including Germany, Okinawa, Los Angeles, Alabama, Massachusetts, Arizona, Washington DC, and California. They were very involved in the early days of Vandenberg, from 1956 through 1963. In 1968 they chose Lompoc for their place to retire.

Together they designed and built their home in Lompoc, where they lived out the rest of their lives.

A service will be held at the Lompoc Cemetery on Friday July 19, at 11:00 AM. Donations may be made to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, 490 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455.