Elizabeth Weathers Lias

Elizabeth Weathers Lias, 21, of Sioux Falls died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident Thursday, September 17, 2009.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and a Prayer service at 7:00 PM Monday at the church.

Elizabeth Weathers Lias was born January 12, 1988 in Sioux Falls to Michael J. Lias and Tia M. Esser. She grew up in Sioux Falls, and attended Sioux Falls Lutheran School, All City Elementary School, Lincoln High School, and was presently in her senior year at the University of South Dakota pursuing majors in International Studies and Spanish and a minor in Business. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and the Political Science League.

One of Elizabeth’s many goals was to travel to every continent, and it was a goal she nearly completed at the time of her death. During high school, she traveled to Spain and Peru; and during college to Russia, Netherlands, Germany, France, England Ireland, and Belgium. She also traveled far and wide in the United States. Above all, she loved “family time,” whether at home in Sioux Falls, or at the family farm in Humboldt. She loved watching her brother Jacob play soccer and was a music fanatic. Elizabeth loved living.

Elizabeth had an infectious smile and a laugh that filled the room. She loved her family, friends, teachers, and Cuddles the cat in indescribable ways. Anyone she worked with whether at Camp Minneboji, Subway, Cascada Caffe, Queen City Bakery, or Deerfield Bank, became life-long friends. Her sisters at Kappa Alpha Theta and her dear friend, Val were her college delight. The depth of missing her is immeasurable.

Elizabeth had an unshakable faith. Her confirmation verse from Matthew 6 served as the context in which she lived her life, “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The t-shirt she often wore summed it up best, “Live Simply.”

In addition to her mother and father, Elizabeth is survived by her stepfather, Paul “Paulsy” Esser; her sister, Elizabeth (Ross) Owen of Minneapolis; her brothers,, Edwin Jacob Lias of Sioux Falls and Timothy (Kimberly) Esser of Hanover, New Hampshire; her paternal grandmother, Bettie J. Lias of Humboldt; Uncles and Aunts, David and Cindy Lias (her Godparents) of Vermillion, Jeff and Jodi Lias of Chadron, NE, Bill and Tammy Lias of Baltic, Steve and Anne Lias of Humboldt, John and Dorothy Lias of Littleton, CO, Steve and Deb Lias of Hot Springs, Terry and Rhonda Esser of WI, Bob and Julie Sanders of Redfield, Tim Esser and Jane Brogan of York, NE; Great Aunts, Nancy Lias of Humboldt and Charyl Wittfoth of Sioux Falls; Rhoda (Roger) Wold, Baltic Cousins, Stevie and Jason Shea, Levi and Chloe Lowell, Jonathon Lias, Derek Lias, Daniel Lias, Sarah Lias, Andrea Lias, Cassie Lias, Hannah Lias, Thomas Lias, Dan Lias, Bobbi Jo and Peter Lohr, Becky Sanders, Mike Sanders, Leslie and Trevor Larsen, Lisa Esser, Kathleen Esser and John Esser and numerous other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to Tuition Assistance at Sioux Falls Lutheran School or USD Foundation Kappa Alpha Theta Scholarship Fund.