Elizabeth Jane Gosma, 55, of Evanston, passed away on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Liz was born in Davenport, Iowa, on May 14, 1970, the daughter of John and Heather Gosma. She married the love of her life, Charles Abplanalp, on February 16, 1997, at an altitude of 11,000 feet while skiing in Taos, New Mexico. Liz graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1989. She went on to study at the University of Iowa, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Music Education and Violin Performance, 1993.

Elizabeth was a violinist with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra for the past 35 years. She also served as the symphony's Education Coordinator from 1995-2001. She and her husband, Charles, own Great Midwestern Music, which provides music education instructional resources, and contracts professional musicians for special events and touring shows. Liz was also a private violin teacher for countless students in the Quad Cities, Evanston and Chicago's North Shore. She loved to perform, teach, cook, entertain, travel and spend time with family. Above all, Liz was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece and friend.

Liz is survived by her husband, Charles, of Evanston; son Cameron Abplanalp, stepdaughter Lauren (Dan) Burseth, and stepson Jonathan (Katy) Abplanalp; sisters, Emily (Anthony) Stoops, and Sarah (Matt) Helfrich, and sister-in-law Susan McDougle; grandchildren, Kiera and Baker Burseth, and Evelyn Abplanalp, as well as an uncle, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father and grandparents.

Two Celebration of Life services are planned: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3637 Golf Road, Evanston, IL, and 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa. Visitation and a light luncheon at the churches will follow both services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, 327 Brady Street, Davenport, IA 52801.