Vera Nancy Scottberg

Vera N. Scottberg was received into the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on October 19th, 2026. She was 98 years old. Vera was born Vera Nancy Olander on June 2nd of 1928 to parents Olaf and Gerta Olander who lived in Logan Square on the north side of Chicago, IL.

Her childhood was pleasant, but filled with responsibilities as her mother was frequently ill, and Vera happily filled in the gap. At a very young age she learned to navigate 1930’s Chicago markets to do the family shopping, riding the street cars with joy. She told her grandchildren “it was my city, and I loved it!”

Vera attended Brentano grade school and went to Schurz High School. When she was 16 her mother Gerta passed away – a tough blow for a sophomore, especially with WWII blazing. Right after the end of the war Vera graduated from Schurz and went to Business College where she excelled in her studies.

In 1947 she met Arthur Scottberg, a young WWII Navy vet who fought in the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Art & Vera were married in June of 1948, and they lived in the Logan square area of Chicago as well.

The Scottberg’s had 3 children, and Vera was a very busy mom. She was well known in her neighborhood for her community service. She served as an officer on the PTA board of Darwin School for many years and she was a frequent volunteer helping out wherever needed. She also worked part time as a bookkeeper at Marshall Fields, her favorite downtown store.

If there was one word that described Vera it would be “hospitality.” The Scottberg home was filled with frequent visitors, and all of them were fed well from Vera’s kitchen. Vera used to joke that Art “should put a revolving door on the house with all the people coming in and out.” She was known for a full table, but breakfast was special to many when she made piles of Swedish pancakes.

In 1967 the Scottberg family moved out of Chicago and settled on 10 acres and a large old house they affectionately called Valhalla Ranch. It was quite the change to go from inner-city to a very rural area, especially with horses, dogs, cats and eventually even ducks and geese. The Scottberg ranch soon became a favorite place for family and friends to visit and spend holidays. Vera worked for several companies in Lake County over the years, first as a temp and then in permanent positions. Towards the end of her working career she was an administrative assistant at Abbott Labs, a position she enjoyed very much.

In 2002, after 35 years in Lake Villa, Art & Vera sold the property and moved into a suburban house in Fox Lake, IL. They continued to entertain family and friends and they enjoyed their cabin cruiser on Lake Michigan – something Vera loved!

In 2008, after 60 years of marriage, Art passed. Vera remained in Fox Lake until 2017 when she moved to an independent living apartment at the Village of Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst, IL. She spent 7 years there until her health began to fail and she needed some extra care. In 2024 she moved to assisted living in the north suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin to be near family, where she lived until she passed. There is so much more to Vera’s life, and that knowledge will now have to always live in the memories of those who received many blessings from her.

Vera is survived by her 3 children: Marilyn (Jerry) O’Dell, Bruce (Theresa) Scottberg and Arthur (Valorie) Scottberg; 7 grandchildren: Monica (Braxton) King, Christian (Ranie) O’Dell, Sarah (Shawn) Cady, Katie (Levi) Greuel, David (Meg) Scottberg, Timothy (Lynsey) Scottberg and Deborah (Joe) Hillary; 19 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren. Vera is preceded in death by her parents Olaf and Gerta, her husband Arthur, her brother Clark (Ellen) Olander and her sister Marion Pederson.

Vera’s family would like to thank everyone for all of the love and care they have shown at her passing. Special thanks goes to the Preceptor Hospice team and the staff of Anita’s Gardens in Saukville, WI for the special care Vera received towards the end of her life.

Vera’s favorite charities are St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital and Boys Town.