Elizabeth A. McGauvran's Obituary
Elizabeth Anne McGauvran—known to everyone as “Liz”—passed away on June 6, 2025.
She was the daughter of Ronald and Sally (Green) McGauvran, born September 21, 1960, in Clinton, the second of four children.
In her younger days, Liz was the piano player in the family and played the guitar. She was a smart and talented student who also was a bit of trailblazer. A natural athlete, she was good in whatever sports she tried. She was one of the first (and few) girls to play Pony League baseball with the boys. Liz went on to be part of the broadened participation in women’s sports, playing basketball and softball at Clinton High School, graduating in 1979.
A lifelong Hawkeye fan, Liz attended the University of Iowa. She completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mt. St. Clare College in Clinton. She had a long, productive career, working at Penberthy in Prophetstown, before joining her father in business with Service Oil Company. She retired as president of Dormac Oil (d/b/a Service Oil Company) —along with her father---when the family business closed in 2017.
In addition to her love of sports, particularly Hawkeye football and men’s and women’s basketball, Liz found new interests later in life. She became an avid geocacher, leading the Iowa Geocachers, and enjoying both the finds and the camaraderie with fellow ‘cachers.’ She also got into RV’ing for a while, with a highlight being a grand trip that included exploration of her mother’s connections in Pickstown, South Dakota.
Liz had several special relationships and partners through her lifetime and treasured her friendships and family—and her beloved cats! She is survived by her father Ron McGauvran and his companion, Jan Shadduck; her siblings, Stacy McGauvran-Hruby (Bruce); Johnna Forbes (Don); John McGauvran (Kathy); her niece and nephews, Dustin, Alex, Peter, Hailey, William, Adam and Ryan; and great-nephew, Emmett. She was preceded in death by her mother.
A private service is planned for later this summer with burial at the Fulton Township Cemetery. The Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family. Respecting her wishes, memorials may be made to the Clinton Humane Society.
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