09/23/2025
David L. Lindstrom
David Lawrence Lindstrom passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family on Sunday September 21, 2025.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Elisabeth “Lisa” (Baker) for 52 years; a beloved father to Sara (Williams) and John; a loving father-in-law to Michael; a dear Papa and Grampa to Nathan, Audrey, Kora, August, and Thomas. He was also a loving brother to his late sister Roselynn Lindstrom, sister Nancy (Rick) Gilbert, sisters-in-law Kristine Baker, and Margaret (Max) Rensberger, and brothers-in-law Ed (Marie) Baker, George (Kristine) Baker, as well as several loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
David was born in Escanaba, MI on August 20, 1943, to the late Norine (Barth) and John “Theodore” Lindstrom. He grew up in Escanaba, MI in the U.P. where he had fond memories of being near his aunts and uncles before leaving for seminary in Wisconsin at St. Nazianz’s Salvatorian Seminary at 14. He moved on to complete his college education by receiving a bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and later attended post-graduate classes at Notre Dame. He eventually left the Salvatorian’s but continued to live a life rooted in faith and service.
Teaching and service were common threads to his working life – he was a high school teacher at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School in Reno, NV and Aurora Central High School in Aurora, IL. Later in life, he was a teacher at Carl Sandburg College’s Adult Learning Center. He spent 20 years of work in sales and customer services at Eby-Brown before continuing as a career specialist with the Western IL Workforce Investment Program. David brought warmth, empathy, and a deep commitment to service, always placing people at the heart of that work. His ability to connect with others left a lasting impact on colleagues, clients, and the community alike.
David’s dedication to service also showed in his volunteer work. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1980, including several years running the annual Tootsie Roll Drive, and in 2016 was recognized as Knight of the Year. Alongside Lisa, he provided music for Special Persons Encounter Christ (SPEC) for 37 years. Following retirement; he enjoyed working at the St. Vincent DePaul Society food pantry, was a member and served as president of the Knox County Right to Life Organization, and served on the OSF St. Mary’s Auxiliary Board where he organized the annual plant sale for many years. At his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, he served as a eucharistic minister, lector, cantor, and president of the men’s club.
At home David loved working outside – growing beautiful flowers, keeping his large yard neat, and feeding the birds. He loved the arts – he enjoyed drawing and painting and going to live performances with his beautiful wife at the Orpheum. He found joy in music – he sang with the church choir, the Galesburg Community Chorus; and performed in community theater in productions of Carousel, Titanic, and Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat.
His greatest pride was his family. As a father, he was ever encouraging, a constant source of support and love, and a role model for living a faithful life. He and Lisa enjoyed taking trips to visit family, or to take in national and local natural wonders. Keeping up on the lives of his grandchildren involved traveling to swim meets, flying kites, going fishing, playing games, and reading stories. He was a fixer of broken toys, a giver of bear hugs, and a go-to problem solver.
His faith, love, and devotion showed in how he lived his life and how he acted toward all. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
The rosary will be prayed at 4:30 pm on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory with the visitation following from 5pm to 7pm at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 6, 2025, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will officiate. A luncheon will immediately follow at the Parish Activity Center. The family will have a private burial at Center Grove Cemetery in Kirkwood, IL. Memorials may be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Knox County Right to Life, or OSF St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary.
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