Edna Marion (Schultz) Fornstedt, 99, of Beloit passed away on July 9, 2023, while in the care of her daughter and Agrace Hospice Care. She was born July 3, 1924, in Clinton, Wisconsin, the daughter of Ernest and Marie (Plamann) Schultz. Edna graduated from Hononegah High School in 1940, and married Ralph K. Fornstedt on June 20, 1942 in Beloit, Wisconsin. Ralph passed away in 1996 and Edna stayed true to her love for him over the next twenty-seven years until she reunited with him in Heaven. She is a child of God and her faith sustained her throughout life. She was a prayer warrior spending much time praying for her family members, friends, and all aspects of Peoples Church, which she attended for more than seven decades.
Edna is survived by her daughter, Joyce (Wayne) Gilmour; grandchildren: Jesse, Paul, and Amber Fornstedt; Ken, Serena, Adam (Debbie), Kaleb (Tashicka), and Ben Gilmour; Shelly (Chris) Byrns, Jeff (Laura) Bailey, Danielle (John) Davis, and Stephanie (Chris) Graham; many great grandchildren, along with one great-great grandchild. Also surviving are her brother, Everette (Doris) Schultz, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Edna was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ernest and Marie Schultz, sister Erma Reavis, and brothers Lawrence, LeRoy, Ernest, Sidney, Harold, and Don Schultz. Also preceding her were her husband Ralph Fornstedt, son Paul Fornstedt, and daughter Carol Jean (Fornstedt) Bailey.
Edna spent her life as a devoted wife and mother, mother-in-law, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend. She raised her three children, teaching them all about responsibility and hard work. She modeled those qualities by putting in long hours on the farm, including working the dairy farm. She was not just a farmer’s wife, but a farmer herself. She milked the cows while Ralph went to work in the factory.
Edna served in a variety of capacities at Peoples Church from hosting/leading weekly Bible studies, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She helped in the kitchen ministry and worked with the Ladies Missionary Society. She and Ralph also did visitation ministry. Her service to her Lord extended in many directions. Edna was a Bible scholar; she read the Bible each year from cover to cover for the past twenty-five years (or more). She memorized verses and even quoted many scriptures during her last weeks of life.
Solving crossword puzzles and winning Scrabble games filled some of her time. She did the daily crosswords in the newspaper, but also filled in many crossword puzzle books. It kept her mind sharp so she continued to win Scrabble games right up until the end. She always liked to say that her vocabulary was larger than her two school teacher daughters combined. She definitely had bragging rights in that department.
Being a hostess for her friends and family brought joy to Edna. She was known for cooking and baking up a storm for wonderful downhome farm meals. She gardened and prepped foods by freezing and canning. She definitely knew her way around the kitchen. And if she learned your “favorite” she’d be sure to have it ready for you when she knew you’d be visiting.
Edna died peacefully in her sleep with her daughter holding her hands, knowing being absent from the body she would be seeing Jesus in Heaven. Edna had been living independently up until just recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She and daughter, Joyce, experienced her “Celebration of Life” together while in the hospital and again when moved to Joyce’s home in Brooklyn. Joyce continued to read Scriptures and played/sung hymns while Edna was kept comfortable in her last days here on earth. She was more than ready to see her Jesus and her last questions to friends and family were: “Will I see you in Heaven? Will you be joining me?”
Thanks goes to Agrace Hospice Care and Beloit Health System. All of the workers were tender, caring, and loving. They treated Edna with respect and helped to make her as comfortable as possible during her last three weeks of life. Final arrangements were made through Sunset Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens at 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, Illinois. There will be a visitation at the funeral home from 10:00AM to 11:00AM on Saturday, July 15 followed by a burial service at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Agrace Hospice Care and/or Peoples Church.
Edna’s Favorite Bible Verses:
Psalm 33: 18-22 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
John 14: 1-6 Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way?” Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
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