James R. Lofgren

James (Jim) Rolland Lofgren, age 93, of Adrian, Mich. passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 at the Hospice of Lenawee Hospice Home. He was born on May 18, 1931 in West Point, Neb. He grew up in a farming family, attending the same country school that now four generations of Lofgrens have attended. He then attended West Point High School, graduating as a “West Point Cadet.” He served in the U.S. Army’s Military Police during the Korean War. After a couple of years farming, he decided to get a university education and earned degrees in agronomy from the University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, and a Ph.D. from Kansas State University. While in Fargo at NDSU he met a fellow student in biochemistry class and the chemistry worked. He married Phyllis Lunsetter on June 17, 1962. 

Jim spent most of his professional life in Crookston, Minn. (1967-1993) and raised a family there. At first he worked for the University of Minnesota’s Northwest Experiment Station and Technical College in Crookston, then for many years at Dahlgren and Co., a seed developer specializing in sunflowers, where he developed many varieties of hybrid sunflower. He enjoyed raising sheep and rabbits with his kids in 4-H. He served for many years on the Board of Managers of the Red River Valley Winter Shows, a wintertime indoor agricultural exposition. He was active in the Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), served a term as president of the Rotary Club of Crookston, and traveled for a month to Senegal to create an irrigation system as part of a Rotary project. At some time or another, he traveled to all the continents except Antarctica. After his position was transferred to another company, Pioneer Hi-Bred, he moved to Moorhead, Minn. for several years.

Jim thoroughly enjoyed his work; he was a born teacher. As his kids had moved east, he established his retirement residence in Adrian, Mich. in 1999, and continued for several years to breed sunflowers as a hobby, as well as woodcarving and socializing with friends and neighbors. Jim and Phyllis were members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh. 

Jim enjoyed singing in the University of Nebraska Glee Club, a barbershop chorus, and several church choirs. He had a unique sense of humor. For example, even though he went by Jim with most people, he would sometimes say, “Don’t call me names. Call me James.” He was friendly with all the people in his orbit. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Lola Lofgren, and brothers, Clayton Lofgren and Adrian Lofgren. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, Lorelei (Doug) Beichner, Brent Lofgren, and John (Mary) Lofgren; grandchildren, Devin, Shane (Kat), and Kristina Beichner, and Will and Eli Lofgren; sisters-in-law, Carol Lofgren and Sharon Lofgren; and several nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life for Jim will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Tecumseh with Pastor Ted Kerr officiating. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorial gifts may be made to Lutheran Disaster Response or Associated Charities Lenawee County. Online condolences may be offered to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.