Charles H Lindberg
July 21, 1931 - April 14, 2017
Obituary
MADISON/LAKE MILLS-Charles H. "Chuck" Lindberg, age 85, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2017. He was born on July 21, 1931, in Watertown, the son of Harold Ebsen and Leona Wilhelmina (Newcomb) Lindberg. Chuck grew up in Lake Mills and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1949. After graduation Chuck proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1951-1955. Chuck was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joan Sanft on March 28, 1953, and from that day on they were rarely apart. Chuck was an outstanding baseball player and had a tryout with the Milwaukee Braves, but he chose to focus on his family and getting a college education instead of pursuing the baseball dream. A decision he never regretted. Chuck continued his studies at UW-Madison, earning a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education. He began working for the Madison Metropolitan School District and was a favorite elementary Phy Ed teacher for many students for over 30 years. His love for sports continued as he played in various fast pitch softball leagues in Madison for years. Chuck loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was so proud of each of them and their accomplishments. He shared his love of sports with all of them, and he was their biggest fan and supporter for decades as he attended hundreds of baseball games, hockey games and jump roping competitions. He truly treasured the time spent with his family while traveling, vacationing together or simply watching a game together. Chuck and Joan held season UW Badger Football tickets for several decades, and those seats are now being used each home game by family members who pay tribute to Chuck by having a hot dog before the game as he always did. In his retirement years, Chuck and Joan enjoyed traveling to places such as Ireland, Hawaii, Key West and the annual family vacation to the Blue Harbor Resort. More recently, he cherished being outdoors and going for nature walks, gardening and bird watching. Chuck is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joan Lindberg; their children, Gail Lindberg, Diane Lindberg, Nancy (Bob) O'Brien and Robert (Jennifer) Lindberg; their grandchildren, Jeremy (Fawn) O'Brien, Bradley (Traci) O 'Brien, Carla Losin (Steve Whitford), Carrie (Erik Pfarrer) Losin and Nicholas Lindberg; and their great-grandchildren, Brennan, Bailey, Maren, Brigan and Roman O'Brien and Katrina and Skylar Lutje. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Frances Tillotson. In keeping with Chuck's wishes, services will be private. Memorials in Chuck's name may be made in honor of Charles Lindberg/Westshire Nature Trail, with checks made out to the following: Town of Westport, 5387 Mary Lake Road, Waunakee, WI 53597. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
"I did it My Way."
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
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Daniel L Douglas
Other •
Mr. Lindberg was one of my favorite phy ed teachers in my schooling. I was brought up in a teaching household and became a phy ed teacher myself for a few years before I left for the business world. Chuck was a great mentor and a great encouraging teacher to a young student. I remember his smile.
Daniel L Douglas
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Sue Fuller Hannon
Other •
Gail, I remember many fond memories at your home on Rutledge St of your father and family. I'm so sorry for your loss and hope you have many happy memories. Thinking of you.
Sue Fuller Hannon
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Gary Swenson
Other •
Gary Swenson
I had the privilege of teaching with Chuck at Kennedy School. He was a good teacher, fairminded, compassionate, and had a great sense of humor. I taught for over 30 years in the Madison School District and for all that time, Chuck's influence always helped guide me. He was a very good man .
My deepest sympathy to his whole family.
BO
Bob O'Brien
Other •
Chuck was my 1st grade phy-ed teacher at Schenk School in 1963. I started dating his daughter Nancy back in 1973 when we were both just 15 years old. I remember asking Chuck if I could marry his daughter in 1976; fact of the matter was it became evident to him that I was trying to develop the nerve to ask him when he left me of the hook by jokingly saying, "Bob are you wanting to ask me something"?
Chuck was "a little boy who grew up but still had that little boy twinkle in his eye", his wife, Joan, recently said.
Chuck thought me so much about life. He was gifted in oh so many ways. He was talented yet extremely humble, kind, thoughtful, and generous. He loved children and was very proud of his "former students", hundreds of whom would stop him well into his 80's to say hello or thank him for the inspiration they felt specifically attributable to him as their teacher. I never, ever, heard him raise his voice or say an unkind word about anybody.
Just imagine how blessed his family is because of him! Each of them enjoyed a unique relationship with their Dad, Grandpa, and more recently his great grandchildren.
The greatest life lesson he emulated was "unconditional love"!
Bob O'Brien
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David Haugen
Other •
I was already interested in sports. It was the early 1960’s and it seemed like all the kids in my Schenk school neighborhood would play whatever sport was in season. Yet Mr. Lindberg’s physical education class was not just about the sport, it was a class with sports AND cooperation, respect, order and FUN! His participation in fast pitch softball was something I followed closely as I lived only a block away from Olbrich softball fields and twice a week I’d go watch him play. It was great! Mr. Lindberg was my inspiration to become an elementary physical education teacher. This year is my 37th year in education with most of it teaching elementary physical education.
I have thought of him every year of my teaching and his example was a guide to me each year. About 12 years ago he appeared in my school. He was attending an event that one of his grandchildren was participating in and there he was, in my school! It was at a time when I was considering leaving teaching and the private school I was at. We talked for a while and then he reassured me, “you don’t want to go anywhere else.” Very valuable words to me from someone who I had not spoken to in decades, yet respected greatly. He was still teaching, still encouraging me after decades removed from Schenk Elementary School. Thank you Mr. Lindberg for everything you have done for me.