Although her life as a housewife and mother of seven was full, Ramona Q. Wingstedt never lost her lifelong passion for music.
The former violin teacher would sometimes play hymns on the harpsichord during church services.
Other times she would accompany her children at music recitals or volunteer with the Wheaton Youth Symphony.
But family members said it was no more evident than the times Mrs. Wingstedt would spontaneously pull out her viola, playing lively pieces from her varied classical repertoire, to the delight of anyone within earshot.
“She loved music and kept it right up there at the forefront of her life,” said her daughter, Christine Seaver.
Mrs. Wingstedt, 74, a longtime Wheaton resident, died Tuesday, June 17, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Mich., Mrs. Wingstedt was the daughter of musical parents who encouraged their children to learn an instrument at a young age.
“She started playing the viola in grade school and was quite good by the time she was in her teens,” her daughter said.
“Some of it was just natural talent, but she also put in a lot of practice time.”
During the summer of her senior year in high school, Mrs. Wingstedt was accepted into the prestigious Interlochen Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich.
It was there she honed her skills and developed long-term friendships with other musicians.
After moving to Wheaton in 1963 and raising her large family, Mrs. Wingstedt gave violin lessons out of her living room.
“You can imagine how crazy things got with seven kids running around, but she always managed to remain focused while she was teaching,” her daughter said.
“If we even popped our heads in, she’d give us a look and tell us not to interrupt.”
Mrs. Wingstedt instilled an appreciation for music in her children, most of whom also play multiple instruments.
She was also a volunteer for the Wheaton Youth Symphony during the years her children were members.
“She was always carting around instruments or involved in some kind of fundraising effort for the symphony,” her daughter said.
She said Mrs. Wingstedt was also a creative and talented seamstress and craftswoman who enjoyed making matching clothes for her children when they were young.
“She passed along a lot to us, but it was her enthusiasm for life that inspired us most,” her daughter said.
Other survivors include three sons, William, David and Anton; two other daughters, Carolyn Roberts and Connie Clarke; 22 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from noon, until the time of services at 4 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton.
