Margaret E. Ryberg

Margaret Ryberg died at age 94 on December 5, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, the Rev. Ralph Ryberg. She was much beloved by her three surviving children: Eric Ryberg, Christine (James) Scotton, and Jon (Sally Truitt) Ryberg. She and Ralph lost their beloved youngest child Karen, who died at age 30 in 1990. Adored grandmother of Amanda (Todd) Ryberg-Catlin, Kyle Ryberg (fiancé Alicia Zumpino), Rob, Kristin and Jonny Ryberg, and Tony Scotton. Dear great-grandmother of Adeleine, Brinn and Ellie Catlin, and Genevieve Cecchinelli. Cherished aunt of Sandra McMillian and Patricia Aslan. Dear cousin of Jenalda Ranum. Beloved friend of Sally Burke.

Margaret Emily Sandberg was born April 19, 1920 in Pine City, MN, to Hilma and Arthur Sandberg. Her father died shortly after her birth, and Hilma and Margaret made their way with the help of her four Swedish grandparents and many loving aunts, uncles and adored cousins, living in several small Minnesota communities, including Esko and Cloquet. Margaret graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, at age 20 and moved to New York, where she graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Social Work degree in 1942. She worked in adoption placement for Lutheran Social Services in Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 1949, Margaret married Ralph Ryberg at Holy Trinity Church in New York. They moved to Chicago where he completed theology school. In their nearly six decades together, Ralph served congregations in Chicago; Ft. Wayne; Columbus, OH; Anna and Mt. Morris, IL; Milwaukee; Pembroke Pines, FL; and Janesville. Margaret raised their children and pursued her social work career when she could, including several years with Milwaukee Public Schools. Her children realize that had she been born in a later time, Margaret would have combined motherhood and an impressive career with great ease and enthusiasm.

Margaret Emily Sandberg Ryberg will be remembered by her family and friends as an intelligent, discerning, kind and truly gracious person of unwavering faith and good will. The family wants to thank Margaret's longtime physician Dr. Daniel Jankins for his ability to see and treat our mother as the dignified and intelligent person she was. She appreciated his honesty and his humor, even as they sparred. We also will never forget the compassion and kindness given to Margaret by Luther Manor's RCAC team, led by nurses Kim Dobernig and Mike Fortin. They and their team of aides offered Margaret highly skilled assistance, delivered with affection and good cheer for several years. We appreciate the wonderfully warm and professional staffs of Froedtert Hospital, Floor 4NE; and of Luther Manor Hospice Care. And finally, to Luther Manor: What a remarkable place this was for both Ralph for the last two years of his life and for Margaret for a decade.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2014; with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m., at the Faith & Education Building at LUTHER MANOR, 4545 North 92nd Street, Wauwatosa, WI. Pastor Jerry Anderson officiating. Interment will be held Wednesday, December 10 at Plainview Cemetery, Mt. Morris, IL. Memorials to Redemption Lutheran Church (<a href="http://www.redemption-lutheran.org" target="_blank">www.redemption-lutheran.org</a>) or Luther Manor (<a href="http://www.luthermanor.org" target="_blank">www.luthermanor.org</a>) would be appreciated.