Carl Sherman Lagergren

Carl Sherman Lagergren, 74, of Salina, died on Wednesday, September 8, at Salina Regional Health Center.

Sherm was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on May 9, 1947, to Helene and Clifford Lagergren, and grew up in Ohio before moving to Kansas to major in history at Bethany College. At Bethany he met Janet Shields, whom he married in 1969, and together they raised their two children, Eric and Jenny, always surrounded by their family’s beloved dogs.

He spent most of his career in banking as a home loan officer. In retirement he discovered many new interests, including becoming an avid armchair birdwatcher. He also revisited earlier hobbies and passions he’d let go of in the intervening years. He loved to watch golf on television, and he was a diehard Chiefs fan. He was also passionate about KU basketball; each season if there was a game on, you can bet that he would be hollering at the TV when things weren’t going KU’s way.

Those who knew Sherm may remember his love of cars, especially Volkswagens. He owned many throughout his life, most notably a white convertible beetle with the unmistakable license plate EEKABUG, which could be seen around Salina throughout much of the 80s and 90s.

Sherm had always regretted his decision to sell his 1963 Stingray Corvette after college. It was the first car he ever really loved. Almost fifty years later he bought a 2004 silver Corvette, and even though he was now 70 years old and didn’t drive it much, we remember the joy he got working on it. He’d closed a circle of a passion for cars and the automobile industry that spanned nearly seven decades.

He is survived by wife Janet and son Eric as well as his older sister Karen and many extended family members. Sherm was preceded in death by his daughter Jenny to cancer in 2015.

He will be missed.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services. Ryan Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that a donation in Sherm’s name be made to Salina Animal Services to honor his love and devotion to his many dogs throughout his life.

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