Katy Stenberg

Katy Stenberg, 71, Belvidere, passed away Wednesday, August 24, 2016, at the University of Chicago Medical Center, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born September 23, 1944, in Rockford, the daughter of Russell R. and Dorothy (Rigeman) Lindell. Katy was a 1962 graduate of Rockford East High School, received her registered nursing certificate from Rockford Memorial School of nursing and graduated from St. Francis in Joliet with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married Jim Stenberg in Rockford on November 11, 1967. She was a registered nurse for Dr. Joseph Perez until she took time off to raise her family. She then was a registered nurse for Dr. William Gorski and later worked in administration at Swedish American Hospital until her retirement. She was formerly on the board of directors of the Illinois Chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. She founded the Light the Night Program in 2003 in Rockford, Illinois which has raised close to $1,000,000 to support the fight against these diseases. Katy was a wish granter for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and volunteered at the Swedish American Regional Cancer Center. Special thanks to Dr. Harvey Einhorn and the staff at the Regional Cancer Center and to the doctors and staff at the University of Chicago Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care.
Survived by her husband, Jim; her son, Mark (Heidi) Stenberg of Barrington Hills; her grandchildren, Liam Stenberg, August, Anders, and Alexia Stenberg; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents and her son, Brent Stenberg.
Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Monday, August 29, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St. Rockford, with Reverend Jeff Fricke officiating. Private family burial at a later date. Visitation will be from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. Sunday, August 28, 2016, at the church and again from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Monday at the church. There is no visitation at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Attn: Annie Hart, 954 W. Washington Blvd, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60607. Please write "Katy's Krew" on the memo line.Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com