Elizabeth Amelia Adamson passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Her parents were at her side.

Liz was born on July 10, 1989 in Williston to Gary and Carla (Larson) Adamson. She was the first grandchild for Gary’s parents and the first grand-daughter for Carla’s mother.

Liz attended schools in Williston and was active in 4H and dance during her younger years. She graduated from WHS in 2007 with honors. She attended 1 semester at Williston State College and during that semester she decided to pursue an art major. She set her sights on Minneapolis College of Art and Design, (MCAD). She worried that she may not be accepted to MCAD as her art portfolio would have to pass a juried review. She received her acceptance letter one week after she submitted her portfolio. While in school, she met people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. She always said that what she learned from the people she embraced was as valuable as what she learned in the classroom. She graduated in May 2012 with a BFA in animation. Her favorite animation project was one that she did for the Sci-Fi Channel for her internship project.

Liz experienced many changes to her health her junior year at MCAD. She consulted numerous doctors and none could give her any answers for these changes. She accepted the changes and continued on with her life. In the summer of 2017, she started to experience more changes and pain. Her tumor was discovered in December 2017 and she was referred to doctors at Mayo. In January 2018, she was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC). She finally had her answers to her health issues. She fought a hard battle for a year. She endured surgeries and many chemo treatments, never complaining and ready to fight with everything she had. She had two months of positive results and then the cancer was back in full force. As a result of the cancer, she was diagnosed with Cushings Disease at the end of January and she accepted that her battle had come to an end. Her last fight was to have quality time for the remainder of her life and to pass away peacefully and quickly; she wanted to spare her family as much as possible, we were her only concern during her final days.
The most important thing to Liz was her family. She was blessed to spend her final weeks with family around her and if they could not be here, she spent time visiting with them on the phone.

Liz is survived by her parents, her sister, Julia of Minneapolis; grandmothers, Veva Adamson and Edith Larson, both of Williston; aunt, Jan Adamson and her husband, Dan Reagor of Deer Mountain, UT; uncles, Mark Adamson and his partner Matt Guyman of Moorhead, MN and Wayne Larson and his wife Rita of Bakersfield, CA; her cousins, Anastacia and Karina Reagor of Deer Mountain; Wayne Larson Jr. (Monica) of Long Beach, CA; Eric Larson (wife Kellie and children Drake, Zoie and Piper) of Mustang, OK; and Brian Larson (wife Rollaine) of Porterville, CA.

She was preceded in death by her infant sister, Joscelynn, her grandfathers, Daniel Adamson and Irvin Larson; her aunt, Danelle Adamson.

Liz was in awe and very thankful for the generosity, love and support that the community gave to her and her family during her battle with ACC. One of the last tasks that she worked on was her thank you letter to the community.

Letter to the Community: Thank You
February 27, 2019

I would like to thank this community for the compassion and aid you have shown my family. Everything from conversation, cards and words of support, prayer, hugs, good food, the handmade blankets, and even the financial help. Unfortunately, the Cushing’s that developed from my cancer affected my hands, and I may have missed replying to some thank-you cards.

I have so few words for my appreciation. Please continue to care so selflessly for, not just my family, but this community. Spread your compassion whenever and wherever you can. Help the impoverished – without judgment. The lost and abandoned critters in the pound/humane society can always use food, litter and blankets. Please give to the food pantries year round. I ask for compassion towards those fleeing crises.

Financially, I was very fortunate (please do not overlook the Affordable Care Act). But there are so many people in need of a little financial aid for medical expenses. Help the occasional stranger through their tough times.

This community has diversified – opened its arms to an array of skills and abilities, orientations and identities, religions, creeds and cultures. Continue to welcome, grow and love. And continue to share your local tradition and history.

Always have somewhere to meet for refreshments and good conversation and every community needs a bookstore. Seriously.

SIGNED,
LIZ “ELI” ADAMSON

MEMENTO VIVERE