Greta Nordstrom

Greta Nordstrom, 90, of Geneseo, formerly of Cambridge, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024.  It was Greta’s wish to be cremated, and a service for Greta will be held at First Lutheran Church in Geneseo on Saturday, April 6, 2024, with a memorial visitation at 11:00 a.m. and a memorial service at 12:00 p.m.  Reverend Matt Kamprath will officiate.  Lunch will be served afterwards.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memorials may be directed in Greta's honor to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDFR), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY, 10281 (www.2.jdfr.org/donate), and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Atten: Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 (www.stjude.org/give.html).

Greta Wilhelmina Anderson was born on April 2, 1933, in Orange, Massachusetts, the daughter of Carl Ragnar and Agnes (Johnson) Anderson. Along with her hero, her older sister Janet, Greta lived a happy childhood on Walnut Hill. After high school, she followed Janet to her beloved Augustana College in Rock Island, and then to the Lutheran School of Nursing.

While in Illinois, Greta met Robert Nordstrom, and they were married on December 28, 1956, in Massachusetts.  They returned to Illinois after the wedding. While living in Dundee, Greta gave birth to her three children and stayed home to raise them. She was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL.

In 1965, the Nordstroms moved to Cambridge, where Greta returned to nursing.  She became Dr. (James) Parsons’ head nurse when Family Medical was opened in Geneseo, and she made many lasting friends. In 1967, the Nordstroms built a house (and planted MANY trees!) between Cambridge and Andover. Greta was very active in the Lutheran Church, where she was a regular in the church choir, WELCA and Svenska Klubben (Swedish Club). She and Bob were into exercise and could often be found jogging or on the local tennis courts. Greta won many trophies for 5K runs and continued running well into her 80’s. She loved music and played the piano and flute. Aunt Greta also hosted the Nordstrom Thanksgiving every year for over 30 years.

Bob and Greta moved to Richmond Hill in Geneseo in their retirement years. Greta loved to invite people over to the house for coffee and rolls and maybe one of her Swedish coffee cakes, often followed by a game of cards. She also relished her role as Gramma Greta. Between their old friends from Cambridge and the new friends they made in Geneseo, they were very happy with a healthy stream of friends visiting. Greta talked Bob into several trips, including going to Sweden with Janet and her niece Anita, and a trip to the Olympics in Salt Lake City with Janet.

Greta had a strong belief in God and was a true believer in kindness. She served as a parish nurse and took that calling to heart. She could be depended on to visit the sick and elderly. She volunteered at Hammond Henry Hospital and at Hillcrest Home as a music leader.

Survivors include children, Paul Nordstrom, Morris, IL; Sonja Nordstrom, Geneseo, IL; Karen (Mark) Kryah of Indianapolis, IN; grandsons, Michael (Emily) Nordstrom, Belvidere, IL; Greg (Devin) Nordstrom, Peoria, IL, Kevin Kryah (Olivia Gangi), Chicago, IL; Alex (Beth) Kryah, Indianapolis, IN; granddaughter, Laura Anne Kryah, Dallas, TX; four great granddaughters and many nieces and nephews.

Greta is preceded in death by husband, Bob Nordstrom, daughter-in-law, (Mary) Ann Nordstrom, sister, Janet Friend, and her parents.