Mary Ellen Ewings

Mary Ellen Ewings, 94, Rockford, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at Presence Cor Mariae Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 12, 1922, in De Forest, Wisconsin, the daughter of Oscar and Clara (Esse) Nordness. Mary Ellen married Clifford Everett Ewings in De Forest in 1945. He passed away in Madison on May 7, 1991. She worked for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue retiring in 1973. Mary Ellen was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and previously was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison.
Survived by her daughter, Catherine (Robert) Wright of Rockford; her grandchildren, Andrew (Melissa Westphal) Wright of Rockford, Erin (Jason) Parker of Rockton, Jason (Ariana) Wright of Kasson, MN, and Mary Fran (Michael Hayden) Wright of Mt. Vernon; her great-grandchildren, Callie and Daniel Parker and Greta and Marin Wright; many nieces and nephews including Audrey (Eugene) Halvorson and John (Karen) Weedman. Predeceased by her husband, Clifford, her brothers, Gerhard and Emery Nordness and her sister, Chrystene Weedman.
Mary Ewings, a native to Wisconsin, loved cheering on the Badgers and Brewers, but was particularly vocal about her Packers. Mary was an exceptional baker, a talented singer, a brilliant card player, a devout Lutheran, an expert in decrypting the daily cryptoquote, a proud Norwegian, and beloved matriarch. She was as at ease on a riverside campsite as she was in a sophisticated Wisconsin supper club. Mary made lifelong friends with her neighbors at the Cloisters, and her health care team from Cor Mariae and Visiting Nurses. Mary was passionate about the things and the people she loved, and was loved that much, and more, in return.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford, with Reverend Tony Dusso officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 10:45 A.M. on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the church or to the charity of donor’s choice. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.