Elizabeth G. Fjortoft

Elizabeth Granstrom Fjortoft passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at the age of 97 in Hoffman Estates, IL. She was born on February 13, 1927 in Chicago, the daughter of Isadore Samuel and Ebba Granstrom (nee Gustafson). She was preceded in death by her parents, her step mother Miranda (nee Gustafson), and her husband Edmund (1994).

Elizabeth graduated from Austin H.S. Chicago (class of 1943). She attended Augustana College and received her Certificate of Nursing degree from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. In 1949 she married her high school sweetheart, Edmund Fjortoft, and together they raised their three children, Deborah, Jon & Eric in Chicago, and after a move in 1961, in Barrington, IL .

Elizabeth’s decades long career in healthcare started as a Staff Nurse at West Suburban Hospital, Oak Park. She would later work as a Charge Nurse at several healthcare institutions: Parkside Lutheran Hospital, the Lovellton Substance Abuse Treatment Center, and at the Addiction Center for Lutheran General Hospital. Her range of nursing expertise included skills in parish nursing; addictions and psychiatric nursing, and institutional program development & management. While raising her three children, Elizabeth also worked as Office nurse and Accounts manager for a chiropractic practice. In the years before she retired at age 88, she obtained certification as an on call Lay Minister, and took on those duties for Good Shepard Hospital in Barrington. For most of her adult life, “Liz” was also an active and in demand performer. Her audiences were at schools, churches, social organizations, on radio, as well as in living rooms. Liz specialized in solo characterizations: dramatic presentations of historical and religious women, often in authentic costumes. She gave book review presentations as well, fleshing out characters with dramatic readings. Liz also created original character presentations, most memorably her humorous renderings of Lisa Lena, the somewhat hair-brained Swede, whose misadventures were invariably met with howling laughter. Lisa Lena meets the Bull Moose will be dearly missed.

 In the performing arts, Liz also kept busy as a piano accompanist, in a variety of programming with vocalists and other instrumental soloists. Elizabeth was a lifelong devout Christian. She was a charter member of Lutheran Atonement Church in Barrington. Her involvement in church leadership activities included 3 terms as President of Church Council, Asst. Superintendent and teacher in Sunday school; Programs Director; President of ALCW, Stephens Ministry Leader, and years as a church choir member. Liz was a lecturer and programmer for Lyric Opera chapters. She was a passionate patron of the arts, particularly music, regularly attending the Lyric Opera and Chicago Symphony. She had a real love for the game of tennis. She never actually played, but as a viewer, she couldn’t get enough, in person at tournaments or on T.V. She even somehow enjoyed those matches on t.v. even as her eyesight was failing. After Edmund’s passing in 1994, Elizabeth travelled extensively. Some of her destinations were Russia, China, Israel and Alaska.

 Perhaps Elizabeth’s strongest character trait was the ability and commitment to giving others strength in times of need. She inspired not a few to find and follow their career paths or their spiritual faith. Her ear was tuned to people in distress, and they seemed to seek her out—-friends, family, acquaintances in dire situations and conditions, dark times. Liz had a gift for being present for them, consoling and giving comfort and hope. It has to be mentioned that Liz was a lover of animals, especially cats and dogs. She always had her own pets, of course, and she was known to hustle strays into her car and drive them to safe shelter. But out and about, it was impossible for her to walk past one of those creatures without trying to engage them in some form of banter. Pet owners simply had to wait, patiently or not so patiently, for the conversation to be over. Liz, you will be so very much be missed, by the cats and dogs, and all the rest of us.

Elizabeth is survived by her three children, Deborah (Jack) Wallin, of Des Plaines, IL, Jon (Nancy) of Oak Park, IL, and Eric, of Dundee, IL. Also grandsons Brian and Matthew Wallin; and granddaughter, Karalena Fjortoft.

Memorial visitation will be from 10am until the memorial service at 11am, Thursday February 20, 2025 at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 909 E. Main St. (Lake Cook Road) Barrington.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:  jeffreypridefoundation.org - Anderson Humane 1000 S Lafox St, South Elgin, IL  60177