Jacob Lofgren, 51, of Oak Park, died peacefully in his home on March 3, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends. For more than a year living with pancreatic cancer, he faced each day with bravery and an honest humor that put his friends and family at ease.
He graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University. In 1997, he married his high school sweetheart, Jenny. Together they raised four children, Tregg (21), Jaylen (19), Max (17), and Trevor (13). Time with his family was his greatest joy.
For the last 15 years, he took pride in building commercial real estate alongside his cousin, Alex, and many talented tradesmen. In his spare time, he enjoyed coaching youth sports (of all kinds), rooting for the Cubs and the Bears, drafting long texts and email messages, and sharing a good conversation with friends or passersby.
Jake was preceded in death by his father Lars Lofgren, and his nephew, Nathan Bedway. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (nee Ondrla); his children, Tregg, Jaylen, Max and Trevor; his mother, Mary (nee Lehwald); his siblings, Kurt (Eva) Lofgren, Jessica (Jon) Bedway, Jason (Peggy) Lofgren, and Katherine (Kurt) Arbeen; his in-laws Tom and Chris Ondrla, Joe (Mindy) Ondrla, Mark (Tory) Ondrla, and his many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by the Nowak family, his aunts, uncles, cousins and all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, at Revel Motor Row, 2400 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago.
