Clarice Kullberg

clarice j. kullberg, 88 ROCKFORD - Clarice J. Kullberg, 88, of Rockford passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012, in her home. Born Sept. 26, 1923, in Rockford, the daughter of Clarence "Kelly" and Ruth (Carlson) Larson. She married Burdette "Bud" Kullberg on Sept. 1, 1944, in Houston; he died July 20, 1989. She was a 1942 graduate of East High School. She was on the Reunion Committee of this class where she kept the books, planned and worked the reunions, and made the decorations for the countless get-togethers over the years. She attended Rockford College. Clarice was confirmed at the Swedish Free Church in 1937, and was a member of First Evangelical Free Church. She began her career as a banker at City National Bank on Broadway, an institution her father helped found. She remained there until she had her son, Fredric. Later she worked with her husband at Kelly's Market, the store her father began in the 1920s. In the late 1960s, Clarice and her husband changed the focus of Kelly's Market and began selling Swedish meats and traditional Christmas items. Clarice decorated and ran the Swedish business until she retired well into the 1990s. She was on the Fairhaven Volunteer Board as treasurer for many years and also served in many other capacities. She made decorations numbering in the hundreds and worked meticulously on centerpieces and favors. Fashion, design and interior decorating were particular interests of Clarice. She was always dressed "to the nines". She was a milliner who made wonderful hats and wore them proudly. Clarice shared her family's love of music and was always present for the Concerts in the Park in which her husband and son played. The Kullberg's held numerous soirees at their home with members of the Rockford Symphony Chamber Players. Survived by son, Dr. Fredric (Gloria) Kullberg of Rockford; granddaughter, Christina Hope (fiancé, Eric King) Kullberg of Rockford; sisters, Karen Morris of Rockford and Janet Person of Golden Valley, Minn.; nieces, Denise (Jed) Brusque of Plymouth, Minn., and Stephanie deWeerdt of Edina, Minn.; nephews, Bruce Person of New Brighton, Minn.; Nicholas (Nicole) deWeerdt of Mound, Minn.; and Benjamin deWeerdt of Coon Rapids, Minn.; sister-in-law, Elvera Kullberg of Rockford; and numerous cousins and other relatives. The family wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Care Referral Service who provided Sara and Olga, Clarice's wonderful caregivers for the past six months. Service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, in the chapel of First Evangelical Free Church, 2223 N. Mulford Rd., with Pastor Bertie Holmgren officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 23, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., and from 1 to 1: 45 p.m. Wednesday in the church. The family prefers memorials to First Evangelical Free Church. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.