Eleanor Winifred (Lundstedt) Rydberg, 82, was born on June 10, 1925 on a farm outside of Hepburn, Iowa as the second child of H. Elmer and Winifred (Nelson) Lundstedt. She passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Eleanor lived in the Hepburn area during her early childhood until the family moved to Red Oak where Eleanor attended high school. Eleanor graduated from Red Oak High School in 1943 and worked at the Red Oak Express as a proofreader until her marriage.

Eleanor was united in marriage with Kenneth Rydberg on February 5, 1950 at the Red Oak Covenant Church in Red Oak, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple made their home in Rural Essex. Eleanor was a beloved homemaker, mother and volunteer.

She was a member of Faith Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa and a longtime member of Study and Service and the Maple Grove Club. Eleanor led a women's community Bible study for many years. She taught Sunday School for many years and filled a variety of positions at Faith Covenant Church. She also was devoted to her children.

Preceding Eleanor in death were her parents, Elmer and Winifred Lundstedt; brother, Maurice Lundstedt; and brother-in-law, Curtis Rydberg. Survivors include her husband of over 57 years, Kenneth Rydberg of Essex, IA; daughter, Jean Erickson and husband Brent of Whitefish Bay, WI; son, Bruce Rydberg and wife Beth of Des Moines, IA; grandsons; Carl Erickson of Cambridge, England, Scott Erickson of Whitefish Bay, WI, Joel Rydberg and Neal Rydberg of Des Moines, IA; granddaughters; Lena Rydberg and fianc Brad Freese of Ft. Myers, FL, Kate Banasiak and husband Mike of West Des Moines, IA; sister, Louise Spanne of El Cerrito, CA; brother-in-law, Wayne Rydberg and wife Kay of Denison, IA; sister-in-law, Jean Rydberg of Essex, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Services were held from the Faith Evangelical Covenant Church in Essex, Iowa on
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Words of Comfort were given by Rev. Jim Ressegieu. Congregational Hymns included: "Amazing Grace",
"Children of the Heavenly Father". The Organist was Marice Young. Caring for flowers were Dennis & Diane Liljedahl, Jean Rydberg. In charge of the Memory Register were Harold & Shirley Anderson. Casket Bearers were Carl W. Erickson, Joel B. Rydberg, Neal M. Rydberg, Scott K. Erickson, Michael F. (Kate) Banasiak, Bradley F. (Lena) Freese. Interment was in the Essex Cemetery, in Essex, Iowa. Memorials are being directed to the Faith Evangelical Covenant Church in Essex.