Joan Evelyn Lindberg

WESTPORT / MADISON / LAKE MILLS - Joan Lindberg, age 93, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, in Madison, Wis. She was born on July 23, 1932, in Lake Mills, Wis., the second child of Arnold and Edna (Stuelke) Sanft. Joan grew up in Lake Mills, enjoying many beautiful summer days at Bartels beach with her siblings. She graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1950 and attended nursing school at the Saint Mary’s School of Nursing. When Joan was in the second grade, she met a “naughty little boy in the third grade” named Charles “Chuck” Lindberg. That was the start of a lifelong friendship and grew into a love story that continues to inspire everyone who was lucky enough to know them. Joan and Chuck were united in marriage on March 28, 1953, in Newport, R.I., where Chuck was stationed with the U.S. Navy. They enjoyed 64 beautiful years together before his passing in 2017.

Chuck completed his service to the U.S. Navy in 1956, and the pair moved to Madison so he could attend UW-Madison and get his degree in Physical Education. They settled in the beautiful family home on Rutledge Street in 1965. Joan loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart, and she was deeply loved in return. Joan was our family’s biggest cheerleader, so proud of each of us and always supporting everyone’s individual interests. She and Chuck truly treasured the time spent with family, whether celebrating special occasions, or simply watching a game together. Joan and Chuck held UW Badgers Football season tickets for seven decades, starting in the 1960s, holding to the belief that to be a Badgers fan is to be loyal to the team no matter what the scoreboard says. Those seats at Camp Randall in Section EE have stayed in the family, and are now used each home game by family members who cheer as loudly for the UW Marching Band as they do for the players, just as Joan did. Joan and Chuck enjoyed traveling to places such as Ireland, Hawaii, Key West, the Grand Tetons, and the annual family vacation to the Blue Harbor Resort.

Joan Lindberg is survived by her four children, Gail Lindberg, Diane Lindberg, Nancy (Bob) O'Brien and Robert (Jennifer) Lindberg; her grandchildren, Jeremy (Fawn) O'Brien, Bradley (Traci) O 'Brien, Carla Losin (Steve Whitford), Carrie Losin and Nicholas Lindberg (Izzy); and her great-grandchildren, Brennan, Bailey, Maren, Brigan and Roman. She is also survived by her four siblings, Jean Heitz, Jane (Mark) Swanson, John Sanft and Janet (Mike) Lenoch. She was preceded in death by beloved Chuck; and her parents. In keeping with Joan's wishes, services will be private.

The family wishes to thank the outstanding staff at Renaissance Senior Living and Right at Home for their care of Joan as she spent her final months in comfort and surrounded by kindness. We also want to thank the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their thoughtful care of Joan and the family in her final weeks. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

"If you want to be a Badger, then come along with me."

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420