Marilyn Rydberg

Marilyn Rydberg passed away on July 25th, 2022, after an extended illness.  She was born in Rio, Illinois on December 29, 1927.  She married Robert J. Kelley on June 27, 1947; Bob died on February 29, 1968.  She later married Ray W. Rydberg on March 14, 1976, in Rock Island, Illinois.  Ray preceded her in death on September 10, 2010.

Marilyn and Bob had two children, David Lee (Diana) Kelley of East Moline, Illinois, and Angela Kelley (Glen) Choban of North Prairie, WI.  Marilyn has two grandchildren, Robert Kelley of Moline, and Jonathan Choban of Oconto, Wisconsin.  Several step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren survive her.

Marilyn worked full time as a bookkeeper at the Ford Garage in Woodhull, Illinois for 15 years.  After Bob died, she moved to Rock Island, Illinois.  There she met Ray Rydberg (through her brother, Dean) and they were married in 1976. Marilyn held an accounting position at the Rock Island Arsenal, retiring from there in the late 1980’s.

During retirement, Marilyn and Ray enjoyed traveling together with friends to Europe and later in their RV to many areas in the U.S. and Canada.  Marilyn volunteered and so greatly enjoyed the King’s Daughter’s Thrift Shop in Moline for many years.  She enjoyed sewing and making quilts for unwed mothers.  Marilyn was a member of the Ophiem American Legion Auxiliary for more than 50 years. She was a wonderful cook and could throw together a full course dinner with one of her wonderful pies in no time.  Marilyn was known for her quick wit and sense of humor, strong work ethic, and belief in God. She believed in the importance of family and had an exceptional ability to remain independent, as much as possible.  She exhibited these traits until the end of her life.

Marilyn belonged to Christ United Methodist Church in East Moline and attended regularly until she was no longer able to do so.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents (Ada and Wallace Anderson), two sisters, Maybelle Thurman of New Windsor, Lucille Gordon of Ophiem, Illinois and two brothers, T.W. Anderson of Medford, Oregon, and R. Paul Anderson of Denver, Colorado.  She is survived by 4 brothers, Dean Anderson of Rock Island, Richard (Alma) Anderson of Yreka, CA, James (Ann) Anderson of Lakemoor, Illinois, and John (Patricia) Anderson of Coal Valley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church in E. Moline at 3801 – 7th Street, E. Moline, IL  61244 or to Bethany for Children and Families at 1830-6th Avenue, Moline, Illinois 61265.  https://www.bethany-qc.org/

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601-38th Avenue, Moline, Illinois. Burial will be held at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal Island immediately following the service.