Florence Ellberg

PRINCETON — Florence Emma Ellberg, 97, of Princeton passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Manor Court of Princeton.

Born Nov. 9, 1914, in Kangley to Frank and Ruth (Ernst) Murphy, she married Elmore “Pete” Ellberg Sept. 2, 1933, in Joliet. He died May 18, 1984.

She had worked as an accountant for the Ellberg Brothers Tavern in Princeton. Along with her husband, she operated a war surplus store in Princeton for a number of years. She had also worked as cashier for Piggly Wiggly grocery and later for Eagle grocery, more than once having been named cashier of the year for the entire chain, until retiring in 1973.

She was a long-time member of St. Matthews English Lutheran Church and the VFW Auxiliary.

Surviving are one son, Ronald (Hazel) Ellberg of Trivoli; one daughter, Cheryl (Richard) Freeburg of St. Petersburg, Fla.; five grandchildren, Kathleen (David) Fabbri, Michael (Jennifer) Ellberg, Wesley (Tomomi) Freeburg, Michael (Dolly) Freeburg and Margaret (Brett) Reed; seven great-grandchildren, Eric and Dexter Freeburg, Ken and Eugene Freeburg, Erica and Alexa Fabbri, and Ruth Reed; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by one brother, Roy Murphy; and one sister, Bessie Swanson.

A memorial visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m Saturday at the Fiocchi-Jensen Funeral Home, Princeton. Burial services will follow at Oakland Cemetery, Summer’s Chapel, Princeton, with the Rev. Jeffrey Schlesinger of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Princeton officiating.

Memorials may be directed to St. Matthews Lutheran Church or The Fisher House Foundation.