A memorial service for longtime Casper College instructor, Lawrence (Larry) Lofgren, will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Our Saviours Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob McNamara officiating. Larry's cremains will be buried at the Sheridan Cemetery at a future date.

Larry was born November 14, 1928 in Sheridan, Wyoming, the third son of Swedish immigrants, Oscar and Marie (Svenson) Lofgren. His life was a miracle. Larry's mother missed her trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the SS Titanic to stay with her sister who was ill and took a later sailing.

Larry attended school in Sheridan, Wyoming. He received his Eagle Scout award while in Boy Scouts. Larry played the piano and sousaphone. He loved to fish, hunt, hike and camp. Larry was also in the National Guard.

His education continued at the University of Wyoming. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Science and Education. Larry continued to play the sousaphone in U.Ws marching band.

Lawrence supported his country by joining the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a 2nd Lieutenant and honorably discharged on September 4, 1953.

Larry returned to U.W. and earned his Master's Degree in Botany. During this time, he met the love of his life, Susan Mueller. After completing his schooling, the couple was married on August 20, 1956 at Westwood Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. The couple moved to Sheridan, Wyoming where Larry taught high school science for one year. In 1957, they moved to Casper, Wyoming. Larry was hired by Casper College as their only Life Science instructor. During the next 35 years, he helped build the present-day Life Science Department.

Larry and Susan were blessed with three daughters; Katherine, Ingrid and Cynthia. Larry continued to enjoy, and instilled a love of the outdoors, fine arts, and travel in his daughters.

During his retirement years, Larry and Susan traveled to China, Peru, Greece, Africa and Ireland. Larry shared his love of song as a bass in the Casper Civic Choral, Senior ("enter Meadowlarks, the OSL church choir, and the Festival Choir. He continued to sing even as cancer ravaged his body. Larry said, "Music takes away the pain and raises my spirits".

After a lengthy battle with cancer, Larry's mortal life ended on Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Central Wyoming Hospice Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Gustav and Nels Lofgren. Larry is survived by his wife, Susan, of 55 years, in Casper; three daughters, Kitt (Bill) Barger of Worland, Ingrid (Steve) Smith of Gillette and Cynthia (Ward) Frank of California, MD; three grandchildren, Thomas and Kevin Barger and Alyssa Frank; and three nephews, Doug (Joyce) Lofgren, Nels (Michelle) Lofgren and Eric (Linda) Lofgren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Larry's name to Central Wyoming Hospice, Central Wyoming Senior Center or Casper College. Condolences for the family may be left at bustardsfuneralhome.com.

Casper Star-Tribune - Mar. 22, 2012.