About This Memory Space
This page was created for Gwendolyn L. Edstrom's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Gwendolyn L. Edstrom's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Gwendolyn L. Edstrom. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Gwendolyn L. Edstrom crafted a remarkable journey from the red dirt farms of Oklahoma to a cherished life of faith, family, and steadfast service in Indianapolis, where her spirit of gratitude and resilience inspired all who knew her.
Born into humble beginnings on a dusty farm in Dill City, Oklahoma, Gwendolyn grew up under the care of her mother, Mayme Sanders Wyatt, and stepfather in a home kept immaculate despite its simplicity. Surrounded by a large extended family, she absorbed lessons of love from aunts and uncles at the local Methodist church. Excelling in school with perfect attendance over twelve years, she graduated high school and pursued business training in Oklahoma City, living with her Aunt Mary. Her early career took shape amid unexpected challenges, including an appendicitis surgery, but she persevered, securing a role at a Chamber of Commerce while boarding with a local family. Fate intervened in 1942 when she crossed paths with Navy serviceman Fredric Edstrom near the post office, their connection blooming with daily red roses and culminating in marriage at Aunt Mary's home in 1943. The couple navigated wartime transfers to Washington state, where Gwendolyn contributed at a torpedo shop, before settling in Illinois and then Indianapolis. There, they built a home in Irvington, raised their children, and Gwendolyn embraced a deepening faith through her lifelong membership at Irvington Presbyterian Church since 1945.
Gwendolyn's professional path reflected her diligence and adaptability, starting with business school and an early position at the Chamber of Commerce. During World War II, she supported the war effort at a naval base torpedo shop in Washington. In Indianapolis, she dedicated years to the school system, serving as a secretary at Lowell Elementary and later as a special needs driver, retiring after impactful service to students and families.
Family & Loved Ones
Cherished moments with loved ones defined Gwendolyn's days, from her whirlwind romance with Fredric—marked by those signature daily roses—to nurturing their son Fredric Jr. in 1947 and daughter Janine in 1952 within the Irvington home they built together. Her family circle expanded joyfully to include three granddaughters, five great-granddaughters, two daughters-in-law, and a son-in-law, all woven into a tapestry of shared happiness and unwavering support that she often reflected on with profound thankfulness.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from acquaintances and kin alike echo Gwendolyn's enduring grace, underscoring her infectious optimism, quiet strength, and the profound sense of blessing she carried through nearly a century of adventures.
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