Donald "Don" M. Lagergren

Graveside service with military honors
will be Friday, Sept. 17, 2010, at 2:00 p.m.
at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta.

Donald “Don” Lagergren went to be with the Lord on September 8, 2010 at the family home. Don was born on January 3, 1941, in Fairbanks, Alaska to Milton and Gwendolyn (Miles) Lagergren. His passions were his Lord who he served faithfully, his family who he loved endlessly and his country which he cherished passionately.
He graduated from Wheatridge High School in 1958 and Colorado State University in 1963. Don served with the United States Army and the National Guard from 1963 to 1969. He moved to La Junta in 1965 with the intent to fill a short term position as a loan officer. However, he stayed and worked for First Federal, later Bank Western, for 26 years. He married Ginny McConnell on October 18, 1975. In 1991, Don purchased Ark Valley Insurance and he and his wife, Ginny, changed the name to Otero County Insurance. He enjoyed serving the people of the Arkansas Valley as much as they enjoyed his kindness and compassion. Don served a four-year term on the La Junta City Council, as President of the Quarterback Club, as President of the La Junta Rotary Club, as Commander of the American Legion, and taught Sunday School to the children at the Church of the Nazarene. A project that was important to Don was the placing of nearly 800 American flags on the graves of veterans at the La Junta Cemetery every Memorial Day.
Don enjoyed many sports, including tennis, volleyball, baseball, and skiing, but he was an avid golfer who seldom missed a morning round of nine holes. Don retired in 2001 with the intention to enjoy golf and travel with his wife. However, when God pressed upon his heart to serve the community in another capacity, Don and Ginny opened The Lighthouse in 2003. Through the bookstore he was able to share his love of the Lord to everyone who passed through the door. He continued his legacy of unselfish service and a godly heart until his untimely passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents Milton & Gwendolyn Lagergren, his infant brother Paul, his father-in-law Everett McConnell, his great-granddaughter Tyner Grace, and brother-in-law Michael Wright. He will be sorely missed by his loving family which includes, his wife of nearly 35 years, Ginny, his dedicated children, Dawn (Leon) Berry, Denise (Steven) Balicki and Eric (Katie) Lagergren all of La Junta, his adoring grandchildren Brittany (Chris) Llamas of Wichita, Kansas, Brock, Braxton, Brett and Breanna Berry, Walker and Duncan Balicki, and Evan, Kaydence, Ean, Kyler and Baby Lagergren, all of La Junta; his sisters and brothers Nancy Howe of Toronto, Canada, Charlie (Karen) Lagergren of Arizona, George Lagergren of La Junta, Earl Lagergren of France, Frances (Bob) Riemenschneider of Sandy, UT, and Ken (Gina) Lagergren of Idaho; mother-in-law Betty McConnell of Mesa, AZ, and brother-in-law Lee (Melva) McConnell; and numerous nieces and nephews as well as an entire church and community family.
A church service will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11 am at the First Church of the Nazarene, with Reverend Andy Albright officiating. Visitation will be Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, from 7 pm to 9 pm at Peacock Memorial Chapel.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ark-Valley Pregnancy Center, P.O. Box 249, La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the First Church of the Nazarene Sunday School, 10th & Topeka, La Junta direct or through the funeral home.