Mary Ellen Andresen, 95, of Rockford, IL, passed away, Tuesday morning, January 24, 2017 at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford with her loving daughter at her side. Born April 16, 1921 in Elgin, IL, daughter of John and Mary (Obrinek) Erickson. She graduated from DeKalb High School. Mary Ellen married Edward Uphoff in 1942, he preceded her in death in 1973. She then married Glenn Engelsen in 1974 and he preceded her in death in 1997. Mary Ellen married Julius Andresen in 2003; he preceded her in death in 2012. She and Ed were one of the principle founders of the Garden Prairie Grain, and in later years, she and Glenn worked as real estate agents. Mary Ellen was a member of First Free Evangelical Church, where she served in the Women's Circle and numerous Bible study groups. She loved painting, cooking, entertaining, card games and gardening. Mary Ellen adored going to her Wisconsin summer home on Lake Kegonsa, winter homes in Florida, boating, and swimming. Most of all, she loved the Lord, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and playing her organ daily.

Mary Ellen is loved and missed by her daughter, Linda (Jayson) Jury of Oak Harbor, WA; step-children, Gary (Renee) Engelsen, Karen (Joe) Voorheis, Paul (Barb) Andresen, DuWayne (Sally) Andresen, and Jimmy Andresen; grandchildren, Fayellyn Heshelman, Lucinda Engebretson, Johnathan (Amy) Heshelman, Nannatte Heshelman, Jaylynn Jury, Jayson Jury, Jr, Nick (Cathy) Engelsen and Angie (Mike) Papke; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husbands, parents, daughter, Sherry Heshelman, granddaughter-in-law, Jamie Jury, son-in-law, Lawrence Heshelman, step-son, Kim Engelsen and siblings, Einar Erickson, Walter Erickson, Carl Erickson, and Katherine Beattie.

Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, January 30, 2017 at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL 61008. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m., until the time of service. Private burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center or American Cancer Society. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.