Elizabeth "Liz" M. Meinholz

Elizabeth Mary (Liz) Meinholz-Vinton, Oshkosh passed away on July 2, 2023 at age 69.   Born on July 11, 1953, Liz was the only child of Veronica and Joseph Meinholz of Eau Claire, WI.  Having graduated from Regis High School in 1971, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration and Library Science degree from the UW-EC in 1975.

Following graduation, she was hired by the Dept. of State in Washington, D.C. to serve as a personnel management specialist at the Bureau of International Organization Affairs Executive Office.  While working in D.C. she undertook graduate studies at The George Washington University earning her Master of Arts degree in 1981.  She especially enjoyed conducting her thesis research at the Library of Congress on the Hopedale Utopian Community outside of Boston.   Liz was proud of her academic achievements having graduated Magna Cum Laude from UW-EC and Summa Cum Laude from GWU.

Entering the teaching profession in 1981 as an Adjunct Professor of Humanities, she taught Ancient Civilizations, Mythology, Philosophy, Psychical Research, and World Religions classes at Pompano Beach Community School, San Diego City College, Mesa College, and UCSD-Extension.  While she had no children of her own, she considered her students as extended family.  After a decade teaching college courses, her love of libraries led her to accept a librarian position with the San Diego Public Library system which she served for 28 years, retiring in 2020.  She treasured the “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Medallion” she was awarded from the SDPL.

Over the years, her hobbies included genealogy research, papillon rescue, coin and stamp collecting, holiday decorating, and creative writing.  A special thrill was having her screenplay entitled “A-Soulin’,” win the Best Original Screenplay by a San Diego County Writer Award.

When asked to state in one sentence how to live life well, Liz shared a well-worn quote she had carried in her billfold since grade school.  It read: “Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, for as long as you can.”

Liz was predeceased by her parents.  She is survived by her husband, John Vinton of Oshkosh, two step sons and their wives:  James and Victoria of Port Orchard, WA; and Michael and Tamar of Rapid City, SD.  Donations in memory of Liz can be made to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation Inc..