Alberta Elaine Whiston

Alberta Elaine Whiston, 89, of Belvidere, formerly of Woodstock, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2018.

She was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Woodstock, the daughter of Axel Frederick and Jessie Violet (Klossowsky) Carlson. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock and attended Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere.

She married Jim Whiston on Nov. 6, 1974. He preceded her in death in July 1994.

She had been employed at various places, including packing pickles at Claussen’s; was the bailiff for the first woman judge in McHenry County; and was an inspector of manufacturing, including Woodward and Arnold Manufacturing in Marengo. In her younger years she tamed wild mustangs in Washington state and even raced stock cars. She enjoyed sewing and reading. She had lived in various places, so she found great enjoyment in redecorating with each move.

Survivors include three daughters, Melody (Neal) Anderson, Linda (Rick) Ferguson, and Janis (Mike) Huff; 12 grandchildren, Lori (Bill) Durkee, Lane (Wendy) Anderson, Shane Ackerman, John (Christina) Ackerman, Jayson (Ellen) Ferguson, Ben (Kimberly) Ferguson, Cathy (Jeff) Dawson, Paul (Liz) Huff, Jennifer (Mike) Foster, Dawn (Randy) Stenback, Megan (Josh) Hart, and Matthew (Erica) Lee; 25 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Lucido; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Randy, Gregory and Jeffery; two brothers, Granville Carlson and Owen Carlson; and a sister, Virginia Bruce.

A celebration of life graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, May 18, in Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Cremation rites have been accorded.