Kenneth Edward Sjogren, 87, of Lindsborg passed away Monday, March 21, 2022, at Riverview Nursing Home in Marquette, Kansas.
He was born in Marquette, Kansas on February 5, 1935 to Chester and Mildred Sjogren. Kenny attended Marquette Elementary and Marquette High School graduating in 1953. He attended Bethany College and graduated in 1957 with a Business and Art degree and was a member of the Terrible Swede football team and Pi Sigma Chi fraternity. He met his sweetheart and future wife, Marilyn Miller, while attending Bethany. Kenny and Marilyn were married on July 26, 1958 in Englewood, Colorado.
He was hired at Bethany College in May of 1961 as the Public Relations and Alumni Director. In 1968, he became the Director of Development. Kenny created many friendships and business relationships over the next 16 years. He was honored as a recipient of the Bethany College Alumni Merit and Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2019, Kenny published a book about the Bethany Presidents he had the privilege to work with during years of fundraising. Even in retirement, he continued to work as a consultant for the Development Office.
In 1984, the Sjogren and Kenny Swisher families converted a gas station into a Scandinavian Gift Shop named the Hemslojd. The specialty shop offered a variety of Swedish imports, hand crafted Dala horses, glass etching, and a wood working factory. Kenny enjoyed telling stories and making new friends while painting the horses. They continued this endeavor for the next 25 years.
In retirement, Kenny and Marilyn enjoyed traveling with friends and visiting family. He was very involved in the Lindsborg community and was a member of Salemsborg Lutheran Church. He was also active in Kiwanis and the Lindsborg Quarterback Club and continually advocated for Lindsborg businesses and tourism.
Family was everything to Kenny. They faithfully attended activities of their children and grandchildren. If he wasn’t at a ballgame, he was asking if you wanted to make a difference by making a donation to Bethany College because we all know, you couldn’t take it with you.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn, his sister Marilyn Hendrix of McPherson, and children Karla Wright (John) of Boerne, TX, Kristin Slater (Mike) of Colorado Springs, CO, Steven (Roxie) of Lindsborg, and Eric (Ronda) of Lindsborg. He was also blessed with eight grandchildren: Christie Vial (Brian), Erin Fair (Mitchell), Kara Slater, Kelsey Madl (Adam), Kaj Sjogren, Kort Sjogren, Theron Sjogren, Haven Sjogren, and six great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 3:00 pm at Salemsborg Lutheran Church, Smolan, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethany College or The Sjogren Fund in care of First Bank Kansas in Lindsborg. The Sjogren Fund will give grants annually to assist individuals to fund personal needs such as medical, educational, or for small business needs in the Lindsborg area.