Karin Ann Kullberg

Karin Ann (Eklund) Kullberg, 86, born August 9th, 1938, in Rockford, IL to Henry and Kerstin Eklund passed away peacefully on December 8th, 2024, in hospice care at The Radcliff in Wood Dale, Illinois.

Karin was a 1956 graduate of East High School, attended Augustana College, received her bachelor’s degree from Rockford College and then later went on to get her Master of Arts in Education. She worked as a reading recovery teacher in Rockford for many years until her retirement in 2009. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church for many years, and then for several years at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

Karin had lifelong friends who she loved spending time with over the years. She also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Karin was known for her beautiful smile, caring heart, and the love of laughter.

She is survived by daughters, Lisa (Mike) Ventrella, Monica Caster (Bill Gardner), her sister, Anita (George) Bull, grandchildren, Jack, Erik, Anders, Kirsten, Willem and Sally and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.

Karin was proud of her Swedish heritage and didn’t miss a moment to celebrate Swedish traditions with her family.

Memorial visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of a service at 11:00 am on Friday, December 13th, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1806 Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Final resting place will be in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford, IL.

To send condolences online or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

“If Roses Grow in Heaven”

If roses grow in Heaven,

Lord, please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother’s arms

And tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there’s an ache within my heart

that will never go away.

-Delores M. Garcia