Elizabeth Ann (Heiss) Nylander passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the age of 65.

Beth was born on June 25, 1953, in Ravenna, Ohio to Earl and Bernice (Heitman) Heiss. She married Paul Nylander on June 7, 1975, in Dubuque, Iowa. Beth was a proud alumnus of the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) and received her MBA from Northern Illinois University. She thoroughly enjoyed of her career in nursing, which spanned from the emergency room to management to consulting, and also treasured the friends her career brought into her life.

Growing up in a military family, Beth spent her childhood living all over the world, including Alaska, Germany, and Japan.  She spent her high school and college years in Iowa, developing friendships that would last 5 decades.

Beth was very proud to have raised her family in Warrenville, Illinois, and to have been a member of St. Irene Catholic Church.  The friendships she developed during her 30 years in Warrenville were invaluable to her.  Beth was always glad to call Warrenville home, and could be always been found dancing at the Car Show & Street Dance, cheering at the Independence Day Parade, and attending every St. Irene party and fundraiser held in the old church.

Beth loved to travel, see new places and try new things.  She enjoyed many trips to Europe with her husband, as well as trips to Turkey, Morocco, and Hawaii with her daughters and best friend.  She knew that life was too short, and so it should be lived in the moment.  This philosophy was fully embraced during her years living in Bend, Oregon, where she filled her time trying new food trucks and happy hours, snowshoeing, floating the river, playing bingo, riding Segway's, hiking countless trails and taking in all of the fun and beauty Bend had to offer.  She always remained incredibly grateful for the experiences and dear friends that Oregon gave her.

Beth said in her last days that friends can be better than family, because you choose them, and they choose you, and then you keep each other forever.  We are so grateful for the dear friends who chose and kept our mother.

Beth is survived by her daughter Kristin (Michael Burke) Nylander; daughter Sara (Deren) Ertugrul; grandson Emre Ertugrul; granddaughter Leyla Belle Ertugrul; brother Eric (Joanna) Heiss; and many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 11am at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Beth's life. A private interment will be held at a later time in Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA), or Anna's Belles Ovarian Cancer Support Group.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500