Diane L Lindstrom

VERONA-Diane L. Lindstrom passed away the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018, with her family by her side at home in Verona, Wis. Diane was known for her humor, intelligence, generosity of spirit, and keen sense of justice. Diane was born in Jamestown, N.Y., on Sept. 9, 1944 in tandem with her twin brother, Daniel, to Catherine and Roger Lindstrom.  Diane is survived by her son, Erik (Christina); grandson, Andrew; her brother Daniel (Joyce); sister-in-law, Joan; nieces and a nephew.  She was predeceased by her beloved older brother, Lawrence.  Diane earned a Ph.D. in Economic History from the University of Delaware since, as she recalled, a professor there would not admit women to a course required for an economics degree which was her principal interest.  In 1971, three years before completing her doctorate, Diane was appointed Assistant Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which became her professional home for the next 34 years.  In 1977, she became the first-ever female tenured professor in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin when she was promoted to Associate Professor  She often joked that since there had been no female restroom in the History Department before her arrival, the women’s room should be named “The Lindstrom Lounge” in her honor when she retired. During her early years at the UW, she taught the first Woman’s Studies course on campus and played a key role in recruiting and hiring other notable women for the department, most notably the founding faculty in what became the department’s renowned Program in Gender and Women’s History. In addition to winning teaching awards, Diane engaged in research and served on numerous committees. She particularly enjoyed her 10 years on the Athletic Board where she was able to harness her passion for collegiate sports.  In that role, she championed the advancement of women’s sports and served as the university’s female faculty athletic representative to the NCAA, the Big Ten, and WCHA.  She also gave unselfish service to her department, the university and her profession, taking special interest in such issues as on-campus child-care, equitable compensation and undergraduate education.  Upon retirement, Diane moved to The Villages, Fla., where she pursued her lifelong love of golf.  Diane’s competitive spirit and skill won her state and many league championships, in Florida, but also in Madison, where she was a longtime fixture in the women’s golf community. The game gave her lifelong friendships around the globe. Highlights included playing the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland with her friend, Sue, playing on an Icelandic lava field with her friend, GG, and winning the Walter Hagen tournament at Walt Disney with friends, Sue, Lorraine and Char. Diane was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer in 2012. She spent the next six years traveling back and forth from The Villages to Verona in order to receive care at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.  During these years Diane narrowed her focus to the things she loved most - family, close friends, golfing, travel, and her cats.  Her grandson, Andrew, was fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of time with her when she lived with her family in Verona.  Despite health challenges, she traveled with her son, grandson and eventual daughter-in-law to such destinations as London, Cape Cod, Washington D.C., Gettysburg, Maui, Iceland, Glacier National Park and the Galapagos Islands where she fulfilled her goal of seeing a blue-footed booby.  She traveled farther and longer than most thought possible.  Her family would like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff at UW Hospital, in particular Dr. Howard Bailey, who gave unsparingly of his time;  Jill, who attended countless appointments with Diane and her son; the support groups and staff at Gilda’s Club, and her friends in Florida, Veryl and Larry, who enabled her to keep her house there and escape some Wisconsin winters; and finally, her friends in Wisconsin including Lorraine, Madonna and Jerry who rallied to her side whenever she needed them.  Your compassion and kindness will always be remembered and appreciated. Memorial donations may be made to the Sparkle of Hope Fund for gynecologic oncology research at https://goo.gl/aXZNFc  A celebration of life will take place at the Odana Hills Golf Course at a date to be determined this Spring. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com