Edith Rehnborg Dead at 93; Guided O.C.’s Nutrilite

Edith Rehnborg, who helped build Buena Park-based Nutrilite Products Inc., died in her sleep Wednesday at her Corona del Mar home. She was 93.

Rehnborg spent more than 23 years helping guide the food supplement company founded in 1934 by her husband, Carl F. Rehnborg. She served as vice president and treasurer from 1947 until her retirement in 1970.

In 1957, Nutrilite expanded its product line to include cosmetics and introduced Edith Rehnborg Cosmetics, which continued until 1972 when Nutrilite merged with Amway Corporation. Several of Mrs. Rehnborg’s skin care products were later folded into Amway’s Artistry cosmetics line.

Born in Ottawa, Ill., in 1902, Rehnborg moved west during the Great Depression and took extension courses at UCLA. She married Carl Rehnborg in 1946 and went to work for the company.

In her later years, Rehnborg was active in the growth and development of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park, which she and her husband founded in 1948.

“My mother lived a very full life,” her son, Sam Rehnborg of Laguna Beach, said. “I know she would not want people to mourn her passing but rather to push on into the future carrying on the principles and ideals by which she and my father lived.”

Carl Rehnborg died in 1973.

In addition to her son, Mrs. Rehnborg is survived by four grandchildren. As per her instructions, her remains will be cremated and her ashes scattered at sea in a private service. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests donations be made in her memory to the Endowment Fund of the Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park.