Virginia I Lindstrom

Funeral Services for Virginia I. Lindstrom will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Jeff Adams officiating.  Following the traditional funeral, cremation will take place and a private family inurnment will be held at the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska.

Virginia Irene (Johnson) Lindstrom, 92 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes.

She was born January 3, 1923, to Fred and Kelpie (McCain) Johnson, on the family farm near Gandy, Nebraska.  When she was three years old, the family moved to Gandy, where she received her early education. In 1940 she graduated from Logan County High School, where she had taken Normal training and passed examination for teacher certification. That fall she taught in the country school which her five older siblings had attended.

In August 1942, she moved to Kearney, Nebraska, with her mother and two sisters. She worked in a grocery store for two years, then renewed her teaching certificate and resumed teaching. For several years she attended summer school at Kearney State Teacher's College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1959. She taught in rural schools, Kearney Public Schools, Elm Creek Public Schools and Holdrege Public Schools in a career that spanned 42 years.

On July 30, 1952, she married Morris Lindstrom in Kearney, Nebraska. For the next 37 years, they lived on a farm north of Holdrege. They enjoyed gardening, especially growing a variety of flowers. The couple traveled extensively across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. On a trip to Belgium, France and Germany they retraced the route of the Fifth Armored unit Morris had served in during World War II. After Morris' death in 1989, Virginia moved to Holdrege. She continued to travel, visiting Holland, Greece, and various cities in the United States.

She was a 60 plus year member of the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege and past president of the Methodist Women. During her 50 plus year membership with Concordia Chapter 97 Order of Eastern Star, she served as Worthy Matron twice. She belonged to the Holdrege Area Genealogy Club and the Hard Times Club.

After retiring from teaching in 1985, she volunteered extensively within her church and community. For more than 20 years she was a member of the Phelps Memorial Health Center Service League, and for several years she assisted with American Red Cross Bloodmobile drives. Her interest in genealogy led her to volunteer in the Nebraska Prairie Museum's family history library. She enjoyed reading, baking and crafts. She was at the center of every family gathering.

After suffering a stroke in 2012, Virginia moved to an assisted-living apartment at Holdrege Memorial Homes.

As the family genealogist, she kept detailed notebooks containing historical information and photographs, which she enjoyed sharing with her extended family. Her positive attitude, cheerful spirit and loving kindness served as an inspiration to all her family and friends. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Besides her husband, Morris and her parents; she was preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in-law: Arthur and Nedra Johnson, Harry and Vera Johnson, and Gene and Lorene Johnson; sister and brother-in-law Mildred and Conrad Leach; sisters: Mabel Johnson and Inez Albrecht; nieces: Nola Rosentrator, Janice Johnson and Joan Gaites; nephews: Darrell Leach and Richard Albrecht; and great-nephews: Steve Leach and Jerry Johnston.

Survivors include; brother-in-law, Harold Albrecht of Kearney, Nebraska; and special nieces and nephews who took such good care of her in her later years, including: Kaye Linn, Molly and John Albrecht; Dennis Albrecht; Julie and Larry Nyberg; Robert and Loretta Leach; Lavern and Lois Leach; Donna Paden; Ed and Linda Leach; Paul and Caroline Leach; Carol Traube; Joyce and Jack Baars; James and Jackie Johnson; Jerry and Donna Johnson; Arta Jean Kramer; Sara and Ora Barnum and Twila Miller; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 30, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Virginia's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh .

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.