Elizabeth Davenport Obituary Davenport, Elizabeth Ann (Tallakson) Elizabeth Ann (Liz, Lizzie, Bea, Betty) Davenport, age 84, of Shorewood (formerly of Minnetonka), passed away peacefully on 12/13/2022 with her family by her side. Preceded in death by parents, Judge Thomas and Dorothy Tallakson; brother, Tom Tallakson; sister-in-law, Janet Tallakson; parents-in-law, John R. and Martha Davenport; brother-in-law, Robert Davenport. Survived by husband of 61 years, John; children, Jeff (Cathy) and Karen; grandchildren, Jason and Colton; grand-dog, Carla; brother-in-law, David Davenport; nieces, nephews, cousins, many extended family and dear friends. Visitation on Thursday, December 29th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a brief time for blessings and prayers at 11:30 at the David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 East Wayzata Boulevard, Wayzata. Private interment Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to the Ridgeview Hospital Foundation, the MN Landscape Arboretum, or causes dear to you. Lizs story: Liz, her brother, Tom, and their beloved Weimaraner, Champ, grew up in South Minneapolis on 28th Avenue across from Lake Hiawathajust blocks from both grandparents homes. She attended Miles Standish Elementary and Roosevelt High School. In 1955, the family moved to Deephaven. She graduated as a Skipper from Minnetonka High School in the spring of 1956. She attended the University of Minnesota for 2 years studying to become a chairside dental assistant. During the summers of 1957 and 1958, she boldly set out on a personal adventure, traveling alone on the Great Northern train, to work as a switchboard operator at St. Mary Lodge in Glacier National Park. In the fall of 1958, she went to work for a dentist in St. Louis Park. Her daily drive took her right down Excelsior Boulevard where a new development named Woodland Hills was about to be established in the corn fields near Glen Lake. In 1960, there was a grocery store at Christmas Lake Road and Highway 7. The grocer and his wife knew both Liz and a young teacher at Minnetonka High School named John Davenport as patrons of their store. The grocer convinced John to call the Tallakson home on Vine Hill Road and ask Liz out on a blind date. It worked! They attended an MHS hockey game sitting with several faculty wivesimagine that on a first date!! The two were married in 1961 and were joined by their dog, Cinder, a wedding gift. That year she changed jobs and went to work for an oral surgeon with locations in both Edina and Wayzata. In 1962, they built a new home in that corn field near Glen Lake that became 5500 Holiday Road. Their 1st child, Jeffrey, was born in 1963 and Liz became a devoted full-time mother and home-maker. That grocer and his wife were among the first to visit the hospital to check on Liz and little Jeffrey. In 1966, their 2nd child, Karen, was born. Many years later Liz and John were excited when the family grew to include two grandsons, Jason in 2003 and Colton in 2006. Many happy play days were spent together at Holiday Road, Deephaven, Gasparilla Island, and the Brainerd Lakes Area. Being NaNa to "her boys" was one of her greatest joys in life. She was a faithful volunteer for school activities as "room mother," "the BAT lady" (Basic Aid Training predecessor of CPR), Senior Party, Vacation Bible School and much more. Through the years after the children grew up, she volunteered with the Diabetes Association and at Ridgeview Hospital as the main door greeter and switchboard operator. She enjoyed every craft that has ever been invented but excelled at, and focused most, on knitting and needlepoint. She often traveled to needlepoint seminars and many times coordinated schedules so that John could join her. They took those opportunities to travel around to various locations across the country. In 1986, for their 25th Wedding Anniversary, they went on an Alaskan cruise which included trips to Vancouver and White Horse. And, for nearly 25 years, they spent time on Gasparilla Island, Florida during the month of March. Her love of dogs continued with Tippy who joined the family in 1969 when he and his litter mates were rescued. Tippys sister, Freckles, ended up living next door on Holiday Road. Later, Liz and John acquired an adorable Pomeranian named Tuffy. And, for the past 5 years she has been loving visits from her Black Labrador Retriever grand-dog, Carla. Fishing was another life-long love of hers. She loved an old cane pole she treasured for years, but settled for a trusty rod & reel. She often told of her childhood years coming out to the lake by the property in Deephaven and catching bass with her brother. Theyd be so excited, running all the way back up the hill, to show off their prize to their dad only to find out that bass were not in season. And, typically, toeing the line, their dad, the Judge, would send them back down to the lake to put the fish back. Probably too late for the fish however, point made, point received. Now Liz and her brother can fish together again. There probably is no "season" for bass up in heaven. We have no doubts that they are being welcomed in heaven by their parents and grandparents and all their beloved four-legged friends. Services Visitation Thursday December 29, 2022 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM David Lee Funeral Chapel 1220 East Wayzata Blvd Wayzata, MN 55391