Elizabeth “Betty” Helen (Fredberg) Ralston, 82, Rockford, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. She was born on April 7, 1944, in Chicago, IL, and was the daughter of Clifford and Helen (Liljedahl) Fredberg.

Betty attended Rockford East High School, then attended Sullins College before receiving her bachelor’s degree from Augustana College. She spent her working years in social services and later as a substitute teacher, occupations she found very fulfilling.

She loved dogs, the Chicago Bears, her church, and all of her grandchildren. As a child, she loved horseback riding, reading, and spending time with her cousins and family.

She also loved volunteering with Emmanuel Lutheran Church, chatting with her neighbors, and took a keen interest in genealogy and family history.

Betty cared deeply for others and spent her semi-retirement doing everything from volunteering for food pantry work, to supporting people with developmental disabilities at their own jobs, or taking interest in and volunteering on any number of cultural and community issues.

She was put on this earth to bear witness to every single accomplishment her family, friends, and acquaintances ever had. There simply weren’t people Betty met that she wasn’t enormously proud of, and she was happy to detail those achievements and traits to anyone who would care to listen.

One of her greatest traits was her earnest and sincere interest in the lives of others. She was a great listener and made herself available to any of her friends or family whenever it was needed, with genuine concern for whatever a person was going through.

An advocate for the abused, neglected, discarded, and abandoned, Betty cared for or even adopted countless stray dogs and cats. She donated time and resources to provide funeral and burial services for an unnamed child.

She opened her home for long-term and more temporary foster parenting services, trying to provide a safe and loving environment for the most vulnerable, and treated them no differently than her own.

Betty is survived by two children, Gavin and Erin Ralston; her brother, Robert Fredberg; her sister-in-law, Joanne; her nephew, Brent and her niece, Sarah; her grandchildren, Hailey, Ethan, Gabriel, Taiga, Kenzie, Alisdair, and Greyson. These survivors are listed in order only by convention and were loved equally.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Scott McNair Ralston; her son-in-law, Charles, and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. In her memory, please consider giving a portion of your own remaining time doing something for others, especially the often thankless and anonymous kindnesses she performed. Donations to research on Alzheimer’s, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or donating or volunteering time with Winnebago County Animal Services in lieu of flowers or any other act are appreciated.

The family was nominally assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, to share condolences and memories online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.