Derrel Sjogren

Celebration of Life Service for Carl "Derrel" Sjogren will be held on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, Nebraska with Pastor Daren Popple officiating.  Private family interment will be in the Fridhem Cemetery at Funk prior to the services.

Carl Derrel Sjogren, 94 years of age, of Funk, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Holdrege Memorial Homes.  Derrel was born February 22, 1925, on the Sjogren family homestead northeast of Funk in Phelps County, Nebraska, the second of three children to Axel Ludvig and Hannah Amelia "Duzenia" (Gustafson) Sjogren.  He received his primary education from District #7, Sunny Hill School north of Funk and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1942.  Derrel then pursued higher education at the Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska.  Following his education, Derrel engaged in farming and the labor of the land with his father north of Funk.

On August 25, 1950, he was united in marriage to E. Yvonne Lindquist at the Fridhem Lutheran Church and to this union three children were born: Mary Ann, Janet Ruth and a daughter born at rest.

The family made their home northeast of Funk on the county line for five years, then moved north of Funk for five years until moving to the house on the Svante Lind Homestead.  He was very proud of his Swedish heritage, and the fact that his family pioneered in Phelps County.  In addition to farming, Derrel also served as a substitute rural mail carrier for many years.  Derrel and Yvonne moved into Funk in November of 2002, and after 60+ years of farming they retired in 2005.

The couple enjoyed traveling together, special memories were formed traveling with friends.  Derrel and Yvonne also enjoyed attending activities together such as Luther Fest, Lind family reunions, and Friends of Camp at Camp Carol Joy Holling.  For several years, they also enjoyed traveling overseas to visit their daughter, Janet and her family in Singapore and New Zealand.  Spending time with his grandchildren always warmed his heart.  On March 24, 2013, Derrel was preceded in death by Yvonne after 62 years of marriage.

Derrel was a lifelong, faithful member of the Fridhem Lutheran Church in Funk, where he was baptized, confirmed, married, and served his Lord in many capacities.  In 1999, the couple were honored by the Tre Kroner Society as King and Queen.  Contributing to this community was also important to Derrel.  He was honored to serve on the Phelps Memorial Hospital Board, the Scandinavian Mutual Insurance Board of Directors, Holdrege Library Board, the Funk CO-OP Board of Directors, and was a long time member of the Funk Lions Club.

Besides his daughter in infancy, and his wife, Yvonne, Derrel was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Merle Sjogren and his wife, Betty; one sister, Delores Swanson and her husband, Arden; sister-in-law, Betty Ruth at the age of 10; and brother-in-law, Daniel Arden Lindquist and his wife, Phyllis.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his two daughters: Mary Ann Paulsen and her husband, James of Funk; and Janet Barger and her husband, James of Omaha, Nebraska; five granddaughters:  Shelly Gifford and her husband, Tom; Leslie Gerdes and her husband, Jason; Stephanie Todd and her husband, Damien; Krista Jameson and her husband, Robert; and Bethany Barger and her fiancé, Scott Van Den Top; eight great-grandchildren:  Mariska and Alexis Gifford; Lauren, Megan, and Benjamin Gerdes; Landon and Dalton Todd; and Ruby Jameson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Derrel's honor, and kindly suggested to the Fridhem Lutheran Church; Camp Carol Joy Holling; the Funk First Responders; or the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.