Wilma M. (Lagergren) Underwood

Wilma Marie (Lagergren) Underwood was born January 27, 1915, at her parents, William and Mary (Wellman) Lagergren, home in Cawker City, Kansas, and departed this life, April 27, 2013, at Hilltop Lodge, Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 98 years and 3 months.

While growing up north of Mankato, she attended grade school for 8 years at Beaumont District # 51. Her first year teacher was her father. She usually walked 1 ½ miles to and from school.

Wilma graduated from Mankato High School in 1933. After graduation, she attended Burr Oak High School to get her certificate for teaching and taught for 6 years in one room school houses in Jewell County. She also worked with her sister, Pearl, and her father, in his Lagergren Income Tax Service for nearly 40 years.

Delbert and Wilma were married April 19, 1941, in Beloit, Kansas, and were blessed with three sons, Oren, Gene, and Mark.

Wilma lived over 60 years on their farm southwest of Burr Oak. She was a farmer’s wife and helped out doing chores, from cutting weeds in the fields, milking cows, raising chickens for eggs, raising a garden and fixing meals for family and hired help, to working income tax in the winter months.

Wilma was a very caring person and was always concerned about her three boys and their families. She belonged to several community clubs, the VFW, and the United Methodist Church of Burr Oak.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delbert in 1999; and sister, Pearl Sloan Hancock. Survivors include her three sons – Oren and wife, Carla Underwood, Gene and wife, Rebecca Underwood, and Mark and wife, Laura Underwood, all of Burr Oak; brother – Fred Lagergren of Phillipsburg, Kansas; sister, Rosella and husband, Roy Damon of Mankato; six grandchildren – Quentin Underwood, Brenda and husband, Sam Eakins, Brian and wife, Erin Underwood, Cory Underwood, Melody and husband, Jason Baetz, Craig and wife, Judy Underwood; two step-grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; eight, step-great-grandchildren; ans a host of other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life service for Wilma M. (Lagergren) Underwood will be (was) Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Burr Oak, Kansas, with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Mrs. Gloria Schlaefli, will be (was) the pianist and Mrs. Beverly Frost will be (was) the soloist. Casket bearers will be (were): Jason Baetz, Sam Eakins, Quentin Underwood, Brian Underwood, Cory Underwood, and Craig Underwood. Interment followed the service in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. The family suggests memorials to First United Methodist Church, Burr Oak. Kansas. Visitation for Wilma M. (Lagergren) Underwood, will be (was) Tuesday, April 29, 2013, at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, was in charge of arrangements.