Hellen Martha (Nordin) Berntson

Hellen Martha Berntson, 92, of Naperville, formerly of Rock Island

passed away Wednesday December 13, 2017 at her daughter’s home in

Naperville.

A service celebrating her life will be held on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Visitation is

Friday from 12:00-1:30pm at the funeral home. Inurnment will be

in Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be left in Hellen’s

name to The Salvation Army, her favorite charity.

Hellen was born on January 27, 1925 in McKeesport, PA., the daughter of

John B. and Frida E. (Wikner) Nordin. She was married to Robert L.

Maurus for 32 years and later married Carl Berntson.

She had been employed by Augustana College, Rock Island as a secretary

for several years.

Hellen was a former member of Broadway Presbyterian Church, Rock Island

and St Luke's Presbyterian Church, Downers Grove.

Her enjoyments include singing in the church choir, reading, gardening and bridge.

Survivors include her children, Jeffrey N. Maurus (Jo Ellen), Marsha M. Zaranti (Kirk), John E. Maurus (Deena) and Regina Bergstrom (David); grandchildren, Zachary Maurus (Leigh), Britt Kolb (Phil), Peter Maurus (Nicki), Natalie Zaranti (Casey Knutson), Olivia Panzeca (Vincent), Annika O'Melia (James), Nicholas Zaranti (Tatiana), Chris Cushman, Elisabeth Maurus, Ellie Bergstrom, Benjamin Bergstrom, Taylor Maurus (Nikolas Watson) and Signe Maurus(Bryan Brinker);  great grandchildren,  Zachary Jr. and Jordan Maurus; Claire, Aidan and Owen Kolb; Neely and Margaux Maurus; Delaney Knutson; Penelope and Enzo Panzeca; Louise, Nora, James and Evelyn O'Melia; Nicholas Zaranti Jr.; Alexia, Olivia and Joseph Cushman; Carter Brinker; and Nolan Watson;  nieces, Diane Knapp; Linda McHenry; Suzanne Kelley; Billie Burke-Wright; and nephew Howard Burke; and her best friend Alice Heimbeck.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Berntson and her sister Frida Nordin Burke.

---

 Service Information