Elizabeth Anne Grunst (Miller) was born in Colville, Washington on May 14, 1934. She was born to Clara and Robert Miller. She was second in a family of four: Bob (deceased), Margaret, and Jim. They were raised in Boyds, Washington.

Liz attended a small rural school called Country School (between Napoleon and Boyds). She skipped 2nd grade due to her mom being the teacher and there being a lack of 3rd grade students. Liz attended until 4th grade.

Liz's passion for music, along with being musically gifted, was recognized at an early age. Because of this, her mother went to great lengths to expose her to any musical event in the community and to provide her with piano lessons. Clara said that God would never have forgiven her if she hadn't. Clara went out of her way to accept a teaching job in Kettle Falls where piano lessons were provided. She would only do this under the condition that she could take Liz with her to school. It was then, at the age of 10, that Liz started her official music journey.

Liz's first formal piano lesson was with 3 nuns. She took lessons for one year; however, the nuns could only give so much instruction.  After that, Clara drove Liz to Colville, Washington, which was an extra 7 miles further away from Kettle Falls. Mom stayed with her new piano teacher, Mrs. Morgan, for approximately 7 years.  Mrs. Morgan also could not keep up with mom's talent.

Liz had other passions musically as well. She took up the clarinet at the age of 9. She joined band in 4 ^th grade, and by 5 ^th grade she advanced to the high school band.

Liz, along with her older brother, Bob, and 4 other close friends, started up a jazz band called "The Teenagers". With parental supervision, she played her first professional gig on New Year's Eve at the age of 10. Liz was forever hooked on performing musically in front of others. There wasn't a weekend they didn't play. Liz said that they had the times of their lives during that era. It became her whole life. She was destined to become a professional musician. Besides playing for "The Teenagers", Liz substituted in two other bands. Each band played in the evening for adult entertainment. She also played in a band during university.

After a year of clarinet, Liz started playing the saxophone.

She bought her first sax with the earnings from her evening gigs. She continued to play the saxophone for the remainder of her evening band adventures.

Her passion for music led her to pursuit a teaching degree in music. She attended Washing State University where she lived in the Kapa Delta Sorority. Liz graduated in the spring of 1951. After graduation, she received her first teaching job in Vancouver Washington. She taught music, along with orchestra, from grade 3 to grade 6.

In December during her second year of teaching, Bill came home from the Service to propose to Liz. They were immediately married, December 23, 1956. Liz went with Bill to Moscow Idaho so that he could complete his education degree at University of Idaho. At this time, Liz didn't teach but she played for funerals.

Bill's first teaching job was in Oroville. Liz said that she fell in love with the area the very first time she drove through the Okanogan Valley. She immediately knew that Oroville was where she would settle down and raise a family.

In between raising her family, Liz taught music at Oroville Elementary. She eventually left teaching to give piano lessons to high-achieving, gifted children in the community, some who later pursued vocations in music.

Liz was also very active in the community. She played for the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Okanogan Community Choir and Symphony, funerals, weddings, and local events.

One day Liz was asked, "Where did you play and who for?" She replied, "I played all over the world."

One message from Liz after her 5-year cancer journey:  "STOP, slow down and enjoy the little, important things in life."

Liz is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Clara Miller and her older brother, Bob.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret, and her brother, Jim. She is also survived by her children: Kim, (Monte) Campbel [grandchildren: Jessica, Heather, James]; Bill (Patti) Grunst [grandchildren: Kimber, Kaitlyn]; Teri (Rolf) Schroeter [grandchildren: Cody, Brittny, Braylon]; Rob (Margo) Grunst [grandchildren: Alexa, Ava]; great grandchild:  Porter.

A memorial service will be held Saturday November 24, 2018 at 11:00AM at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Oroville, WA with Father Luta Nsubuga officiating.  A reception will be held following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Our House - Cancer Care of NCW, Inc. from Wenatchee.