Ann Asplund, 84, of Galesburg, died at 5:57 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at home.
She was born August 1, 1931 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital, the daughter of James and Blanche (Olson) Rhykerd. She married Ronald E. Asplund on April 7, 1951 in Galesburg in a double wedding ceremony. He died October 29, 1987 from lung cancer.
Ann is survived by a brother, Charles (and Eileen) Rhykerd of West Lafayette, Indiana; a brother-in-law, LaVern McEntire of Macomb; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister, Nola McEntire.
Ann was raised on a farm near Cameron in Coldbrook Township, where she attended the one room Hedgepeth School. She went on to Churchill Junior High School and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1949. She received her business degree from Brown’s Business College in 1951 and immediately went to work for Wagoner Printing Company. She started as a secretary and retired in 1987 as manager.
Over 36 years of marriage, Ann and Ron enjoyed extensive travel. Their destinations included California, Louisiana, Colorado, Tennessee, Canada, Europe, the Panama Canal, and Brazil.
Ann volunteered much of her time in our community. She served on the Galesburg Public Library Board for 17 years, the Alliance Library System Board, Western Illinois Library System Board, Galesburg Cottage Hospital Board, Galesburg Civic Art Center Board, Utility Employees Credit Union Board, Knox Galesburg Symphony Board, Galesburg Community Foundation Board, Galesburg Chamber of Commerce Board as the first female member, Family Planning Board, Galesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau and was president of Knox Gale Society and chairman of the Annual Business Campaign. Ann was responsible for starting the Historical Society’s Chocolate Festival and volunteered her time with the Taste of Galesburg, the Great Balloon Race, the Galesburg Rescue Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, and the Carl Sandburg College Advisory Board. Ann also lobbied for libraries in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, and was active in P.E.O. for many years and Friends of the Galesburg Public Library. She served on GHS class reunion committees. Ann was a reading buddy at Nielson School and in September 2002 was pictured and had an article about her in the Register Mail.
Ann’s many civic involvements garnered her many awards. She was awarded the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Leader Award in 1986. As of 2005, she was the only female recipient. Other awards included the Galesburg Community Foundation Award in 2010, Trustee of the Year Award from Alliance Library System in 2002, the Chamber of Commerce Athena Award in 1994, the Knox College Service Award in 1996, the Knox College 50 Year Club Award, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation Bronze Award in 2009, and the L.A.C.E. Award (most Liked, most Active, most Courteous, most Enthusiastic). She was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by District 646 Rotary Clubs.
Ann was a longtime member of First Christian Church and Sunday school. She was an honorary then lifetime member of the Knox College 50 Year Club. She participated in numerous activities at Knox College including fundraising, helping with Homecoming and other activities, and being a host parent for seven years to foreign students.
The Ron Asplund Memorial Award at Knox College was established in 1987, is endowed, and awarded annually to a senior. The Ann Asplund Scholarship was established in 2002 at Carl Sandburg College, is endowed, and awarded annually to a nursing student.
Cremation will be accorded. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday, February 15, 2016, at First Christian Church. Rev. Greg Fitch will officiate. There will be no visitation. Her remains will be buried with Ron’s at Linwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ron Asplund Memorial Fund for Scholarship at Knox College or the Ann Asplund Scholarship at Carl Sandburg College. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services of Galesburg is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
