Reality Check

Since my sister Rachel is out of the hospital and recovering, we've finally set a date for Mom's memorial service. So on August 10th, it will start to feel REAL.

Actually it is already since I volunteered to scan in photos of Mom for the picture boards and the computer screen. The picture above is from her early 20s, I'm guessing. Trim and fashionable in those roll-up jeans. I love it! 

In fact, there are a ton of images that make me say, "Wow, Mom was pretty and knew how to have fun!" Why don't we ever think of our moms that way? They were young once, too, and enjoyed their pre-K (pre-kids) life!

So I'll be busy with this task this weekend but the funeral service info is now live here: https://memorials.swedberg-taylor.com/marlys-hedberg/5434811/index.php. Or you can read it here....

Marlys Victoria Hedberg, age 92, passed away on May 22, 2024, at Burnett Medical Center, Grantsburg, WI, surrounded by family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 10, at Faith Lutheran Church in Grantsburg. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Marlys was born on Good Friday, March 25, 1932, to Ernie and Florence (Larson) Johnson in the town of Daniels, Burnett County, Wisconsin. She attended grade school at Siren, Wood Creek and Alpha and high school at Grantsburg, making many lifetime friendships. Marlys held part-time jobs at Daniels Seed Farm near Grantsburg, Duncan Yo-Yo in Luck, and Stokely’s in Frederic.

On July 2, 1949, she married LeRoy Hedberg and to this union were born 11 children (including three sets of twins.) They lived in Grantsburg until 1960 and moved to Cushing for LeRoy’s job. When her youngest two were in high school, Marlys began working at the United Pioneer Home in Luck in the laundry department until her retirement at age 62.

Marlys was mainly a stay-at-home mother who loved music, dancing, performing in the Pleasant Valley Kitchen Band, baking, and being creative with sewing and crafts. She had a green thumb and entered countless plants along with her delicious baked goods in the Polk County Fair. Marlys loved to write letters and send out cards for birthdays and anniversaries. She was an active fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Each year she strived to raise more money, usually being one of the top individual fundraisers for the Luck/Frederic Cancer Walk. This was a cause near and dear to her heart as she lost her father and a sister to cancer. Marlys and LeRoy were also actively involved with the Sterling-Eureka-Laketown Historical Society.

For fun, Marlys liked to play solitaire and even more so, enjoyed playing cards and other games with her children and their families— who always knew when she had a winning hand as she started humming. She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune daily on her TV. Family was important to Marlys. The gatherings with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her so much joy, as well as attending many Johnson and Hedberg family gatherings over the years and hosting some sledding and Halloween parties at their home.

Although Marlys didn’t graduate high school, she earned her GED certificate in 1969 and she was an active participant in the Class of 1950’s reunions. Both she and LeRoy believed strongly in education and instilled this value in their children.

Marlys and LeRoy and family were active members of Laketown Lutheran Church, participating in the Women of ELCA and the annual Fall Bazaar. This will be her final resting place.

After LeRoy’s passing in 2013, Marlys remained in their home until January 2018 when she moved to Courtyard Square apartments in Grantsburg. She remained independent until April 2024 when she became hospitalized and moved to the Continuing Care Center at Burnett Medical Center.

Marlys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 63 years, LeRoy; two infant sons; one infant daughter; a grandson, Bryan Chalstrom; sisters Melvina Washbon, Violet Peck, and Virginia Larson; a son-in-law Paul Delaney; sisters-in-law Gladys, Audrey, Betty, and Gwen; and brothers-in-law Dudley and Ray.

Marlys is survived by her children, Rayna Delaney, Romey (Rick) Nelson, Renell Pagel, RoAnn (Ken) Goor, Ronald Hedberg, Rachel Hedberg, Robyn (Jim) Austin, and Raylene (Steve) Swanson; grandchildren, Eric Nelson (Stephanie), Caryn (Michelle) Chalstrom, Matthew (Kristina) Chalstrom, Beth (Anders) Hopkins, Timothy Goor (Tawnie), Travis Goor (Michelle), David (Sara) Hedberg, Zachary (Liana) Hedberg, Carter Austin (Mamie), Tony Soderquist, and Ashley Swanson (Devan); step-grandchildren, Dawn, James, Casey, Clayton, Joshua, James, and Jesse; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Adryan, Makayla, Michael, Nash, Quinn, Hans, Nils, Tyler, Tyson, Trey, Teegan, Khloe, Linus, Millie, Arlo, Audrey and Kenlee. She is also survived by brothers-in-law, Hartley (Alice) Hedberg and Charles (Sally) Hedberg, sister-in-law Barb Hedberg, cousins Ardyce and Myrna, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home.

Thanks for all your prayers!