Marlyn R. Hulstedt

Marlyn Ruth Hulstedt, 94 of Rockford, died peacefully at home Friday March 7, 2025.

Marlyn was born on September 30, 1930, in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, to Albert J. Hetzel and Hazel (Stewart) Hetzel. As a young woman, she moved to Rockford, Illinois, to be with her sister, Jeanette. It was in Rockford that she met the love of her life, Charles Hulstedt. They married on February 5, 1949, in her hometown of Tomahawk but made their home together in Rockford, where they built a beautiful life together.

Marlyn had a strong work ethic and a kind, welcoming spirit. She worked at a Rockford piano factory and a family-owned drugstore before devoting herself to raising her children. Later, she worked alongside her sons, Charles and James, and daughter, Sue Ellen, as a waitress at the Village Inn (Chas V. Weise). She then became a manager in the Linen/Drapery department at Chas V. Weise. She later retired as a manager at the Golden Dolphin Bath Shop at Edgebrook.

Marlyn’s hands were rarely still. She was an avid and talented quilter, pouring love and care into every stitch. She was working on finishing her final quilt when she passed—one last piece of her love to leave behind. She made many full size quilts and smaller quilt projects for her family and friends. Her passion for flowers and gardening brought beauty and joy to her home gardens.

Marlyn’s faith and belief in Jesus Christ was very important to her. She not only believed in God but she knew him personally, she accepted Christ as her Savior when she was a young woman and she knew she was a sinner saved by God's grace. She walked with Him daily, faithfully read His word and was a prayer warrior. She had a deep love and concern for everyone she met and she didn't forget them and would pray for hours in the mornings. She was a long time devoted member of First Evangelical Covenant Church where she faithfully attended with her family. She attended Sunday school, was involved in Covenant Women and shared her love of gardening by volunteering in the gardens in the church’s courtyard. She attended her last service at church on Ash Wednesday, March 5th. One of her favorite hymns, Victory in Jesus, now takes on new meaning as she rests in the arms of her Savior, victorious and whole: "O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood."

Survivors include her children, Charles (Grace) Hulstedt, Jr., Sue Ellen (Louis) Setter, James (Diana) Hulstedt, Jeffrey (Karen) Hulstedt, Dianna (Keith) Dickerman.

Grandchildren, Karin Cabildo, Annie (Brian) Egler, Christina (Mark) Green, Sarah (Ryan) Enke, Elizabeth (Aaron) Woodyatt, Peter (Jodiann) Hulstedt, Rebecca (Forrest) Burris, Nathan(Annica) Hulstedt, Jacqueline (Ryan) Capes, Alan (Jennifer) Hulstedt, David (Courtney) Hulstedt, Justin Dickerman, Danielle (Daniel) Nichols and Haydon Dickerman.

Great grandchildren, Mikayla and Kylie Cabildo, Quinn Egler, Maisie and Alice Green, Emily and Kyle Enke, Ava and Isla Woodyatt, Svea, Ethan, Maja and Asher Hulstedt, Gretta, Sadie, and Audra Burris, Uriah, Rorie, Grady Hulstedt, Hazel, Ingrid, Liam and Finn Capes, Mylee, Kaylee and Brantley Hulstedt, River Hulstedt, Iyanna and Ivie Nichols.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Sharon, Sandy, Donna, Dallas, Alan, Sally, Bruce, Mary, David, Judy, Edward, Joe, Carol, Karen, Cathy, Chris, Denise, Debra, Gary, Ginger, Gayle, Pam, Mike, Gordon, Jean, Philip and Jane.

Predeceased by her husband Charles, her parents Albert and Hazel, her first grandson, Paul, her brother, Howard, her sisters, Harriet, Jeanette, Jane, Audrey and Joyce.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 316 Wood Rd. Rockford, IL 61107. Burial will conclude at 2:00 p.m. in Scandinavian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Marlyn's name to 1st Evangelical Covenant Church.