Trista DeGroot Fortosis, age 37, turned her eyes upon Jesus and looked full in His wonderful face in the early hours of February 9, 2025 after a 2 ½ year-long battle with cancer.  She was born May 8, 1987, in Winfield, IL.

Trista was born and raised in Winfield, IL. She attended elementary school at Wheaton Christian Grammar School and high school at Wheaton Academy. She continued her education at Loyola University in Chicago where she received a BA in Literature. Several years later she elected to follow a lifelong passion and pursue a culinary degree from the College of DuPage. She used her gifting at a local catering company and eventually launched her own pastry business.

She was a faithful and loving friend, daughter, sister, mother, and wife. She had a deep appreciation for tradition and beauty which seeped into every facet of her life – homemaking, cooking, entertaining, gift giving, and parenting. Exceptionally gifted as a teacher, she spent the last 6 years homeschooling her daughters and teaching other homeschool children from their co-op. She was a faithful follower of Christ and a devoted member of West Chicago Bible Church.

She is survived by her husband of seven years, David Fortosis, Jr.; her children Jane, Winifred, and Louise; her parents Robin & Joanne DeGroot; her sisters and their husbands, Sonja Lilly (Scott), Alexia Seppala (Jeffrey), Jeniva Knautz (Kurt); her father & mother-in-law David & Carol Fortosis; her brothers & sisters-in-law, Jim & Lauren Fortosis; Matt & Carley Fortosis.

A visitation will be held Friday, February 21, 2025 from 3:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187.  A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:30am at College Church. A livestream of the service will be available here: Service for Trista Fortosis

A private burial will be held at Glen Oak Cemetery in West Chicago, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Wheaton Christian Grammar School , 1N350 Taylor Dr, Winfield, IL 60190.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.