Obituary: John W. Lagerlof

February 21, 1929 ~ August 1, 2023

John W. Lagerlof, 94, of Sister Bay, formerly Wilmette, IL, died on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Good Samaritan Scandia Village in Sister Bay after a fairly short illness.

He was born February 21, 1929, in Chicago, the son of the late Walter and Esther (Nelson) Lagerlof. John graduated from New Trier High School before attending and receiving his undergrad from Northwestern University in Evanston. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. John then took over the family restaurant, Lagerlof’s Restaurant near the Chicago Board of Trade. After a few years he sold the business and returned to college. John received his master’s in education from the National College of Education before embarking on a 30-year teaching career at Locust Jr. High School. He taught seventh grade and served as principal at various times.

On June 19, 1951, he married Adelee J. Vedell in Knoxville, IL after meeting in college. They enjoyed Door County over their working years and in 1989 retired and built their permanent home here. She preceded him in death in January of 2015.

John enjoyed wood carving birds and was active at The Clearing.

Survivors include his two sons, John III (Patricia) Lagerlof of Morton Grove, IL and Robert Lagerlof of Carlinville, IL; two grandchildren, Erik John Lagerlof and Karl Torsten Lagerlof.

There will be no public service. He will be interred next to his beloved wife, Adelee at Little Sister Cemetery.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Lagerlof family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of John may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.