Obituary of Ingrid Lofgren

Edith Minna Ingrid Brase Lofgren, age 92, passed away quietly at home on March 12, 2014, surrounded by family. She was born at home on June 29, 1921, the last of five children born to Hagbard and Minna Brase. With a few brief absences early in her married life, Ingrid was a life-long resident of the Lindsborg, Kansas area. Immersed in music from her earliest years, Ingrid grew up singing and playing the piano and violin. She attended Lindsborg public schools, where she was also active in drama. After high school, Ingrid attended Bethany College where she majored in education. A member of Bethany Lutheran Church, she sang in the church choir under her father, Dr. Brase, as well as in the oratorio society for many years. After graduation from Bethany, Ingrid attended radio school in Kansas City, Missouri, where she made many life-long friends. She met John Richard Lofgren of Smolan, Kansas, and after a courtship interrupted by World War II they married on July 4, 1944 while Richard was home on leave. Ingrid traveled to both coasts to join Richard wherever he was stationed. After he was posted overseas, Ingrid returned to the Midwest and worked for American Airlines. Ingrid and Richard moved to Salina for a brief time before taking over the family farm just outside of Smolan. Ingrid loved being a farm wife, although she was fond of telling us that both she and Richard were adamant that indoor plumbing be added to the farmhouse before they moved in. As a member of the Salemsborg Lutheran Church, Ingrid lovingly donated many hours to the women's group and the Sunday School program. They adopted two children, Barbara Adair and Ronald Richard. Richard's job with the Federal Aviation Association took them to North Dakota for a few years, where Ingrid once again became deeply involved in the life of their church, serving as church secretary. After returning to the farm in the early 60s, Ingrid taught for some time at Brown Mackie College in Salina. She then became secretary to the president at Bethany College where she served many years, working for 3 different administrations. After retiring from the college, Ingrid discovered she still had more to give, so she accepted a position at the public library. Ingrid spent many hours talking about the joy she received from that opportunity. In addition to her church memberships and activities, Ingrid was a long-time member of the Swedish Club and the Lindsborg American Legion Auxiliary. Ingrid leaves us with wonderful memories of her love of family, dedication to God, and an incredible sense of humor (often popping out in unexpected ways) that stayed with her until the end. Ingrid was predeceased by her parents, her husband Richard, her daughter Barbara, her sisters Thorborg Russell and Karin Freeburg and her brother Yngve Brase. She is survived by her son Ronald (Lauran) Lofgren, sister Sonja Willey (Salina), granddaughters Katrina Watts (Oklahoma), Victoria Conley (Oklahoma), Kathryn (Rob) Brackett (Omaha), and Elisabeth (Muhammad) Lofgren (Cairo, Egypt), and many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She will be missed by us all. Visitation with family will be Sunday, March 16, from 4-6 pm at 851 N Main Street. Funeral service will be held at Salemsborg Lutheran Church on Monday, March 17, at 10:30 am, with committal immediately following. Memorials are suggested to Salemsborg Lutheran Church, the Brase-Bengston Scholarship at Bethany College, or Kaye Pogue Hospice of Salina in care of Christians Funeral Home. Online condolences at http://www.christiansfuneralhome.com.