Evelyn Rygh Hulstedt

Evelyn Rygh Hulstedt, 93, of Rockford died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. She was born on November 14, 1922 in Woodford, Wisconsin, the daughter of Theodore and Dina Buvarp Rygh. Evelyn graduated from the Cherry Branch Grade School and Monroe High School. She worked for the Dane County Highway department while living with her sister Borghild in Madison. During the war, she remembered her brother Art coming to visit on crutches and going with him to the USO. She met her husband Ernest Peter Hulstedt while having dinner at the neighbors. They were married in the East Wiota Lutheran Church on September 16, 1945, and then Ernie’s Army orders sent him to Texas. After the war, they moved to Rockford, Illinois, then to Belvidere and then back to Rockford in 1960. Evelyn was an active member of the PTO in her children’s schools. Later Evelyn worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for many years. She loved to bake and was known for her delicious pies and cookies. In 1989, her daughter Jane started Discovery Preschool and Evelyn became a key person at that school serving as bookkeeper and classroom volunteer. Evelyn was an active member of First Evangelical Covenant Church in Rockford where she was a Sunday school teacher and Awana leader. Evelyn was a hard worker, loved by children and always ready to lend a helping hand. She loved playing cards with her friends and held on to the hope that this would be the year for the Cubs.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Phillip (Rita) Hulstedt and Jane (Jeffrey) Lightcap; her grandchildren, Jan (Kaija) Hulstedt, Lauren Hulstedt, Seth (Allison) Lightcap, Jesse Lightcap, and Tyler Lightcap; and her beloved great-grandson Eero Hulstedt. She is also survived by four sister-in-laws: Ruth Rygh, Darlene Rygh, Ruby Rygh and Marlyn Hulstedt as well as many nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, her parents, seven brothers: Trygve, Bjarne, Wilhelm, John, Roland, Arthur and Theodore Rygh, Jr.; six sisters: Elida Hansen, Gunhild Rygh, Dagny Frontz, Borghild Weittenhiller, Clara Mayer-Baumgartner, and Ruth Bahler.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 316 Wood Road, Rockford, IL with Pastor Peter Dibley officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until time of service. Private burial will be in Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Covenant Church or Rockford MELD, 107 N. 3rd Street, Rockford, IL 61107.
MELD is a local 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is “guiding young parents to build a strong family and lead a responsible life by providing shelter, education and life skills training”. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, www.fitzgeraldfh.com.