Obituary

Violet Gunni Spehar, 97, of Rockford, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025. Born July 28, 1927, in Rockford, the daughter of Eric and Elin (Liljenstam) Lundberg. Attended East High School. Violet married Stanley M. Spehar on February 10, 1973. He predeceased her in January 2014. She was a member of Elim Baptist Church and enjoyed all sports and cooking. Violet loved her family and grandchildren very much.

Survived by her daughters, Barbara Roberts, Betty Watson, Debi (Mike) Sutton; step-son, Mike (Kim) Spehar; siblings, Ulf (Agneta) Lundberg and Gunilla Berggren both in Sweden; grandchildren, Anne (Dustin) Leath, Chris, Stephanie (Andrew Selander), Lauren (Elmedhi Moubarki), Matthew & Sara Bowers, Shannon (Mark Henzel), Osa, and Gabrielle; great-grandchildren, Connor, Matthew Jr., Eli, Kayla, Jenna and Talia; great-great-grandchildren, Jordan, Tyler and Easton; and several step-grandchildren. Also predeceased by her parents; son, David (Melinda) Bowers; several brothers and sisters in Sweden; two step-sons; and two step-daughters.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Morgan (hospice nurse), Pam (hospice aide), Kennis (hospice social worker), Diane, Laurie and Cathy (St. Anne’s nurses) and the nurses aides at St. Anne’s. Also a special thanks to Sharon Slartman, for several years of wonderful care and help she provided our mother.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Unity Hospice & Palliative Care, 915 N. Caron Rd., Rochelle, IL 61068 or Ascension Living Saint Anne Place, 4405 Highcrest Rd., Rockford, IL 61107. To share a memory or condolence visit olsonfh.com .