On the morning of August 21, 2024, Dennis O’Dell Lindberg passed away at his home in Helena, MT after a courageous and lengthy battle with respiratory illness. He was 82 years old.
Dennis was born in Erdahl, MN to Raynold and Wilma Lindberg on November 19, 1941, one of six children. He graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1959 and enlisted in the Navy immediately afterwards at 17 years old. He served a full term as Airman, out of Air Transport Squadron Twenty-Two, US Naval Air Station 11 Norfolk, Virginia, and was honorably discharged with distinction as an Aviation Storekeeper, 2nd Class, E5 in December 1962, with a good conduct medal.
Dennis married Theodora Krump in 1963. They were married for 16 years, having had 5 children together. He had a strong work ethic and was an intelligent man of many talents. After his military service he worked in several diverse industries, both as a machinist and a realtor, while still living in MN. In 1977, he moved his family to Billings, MT to work with his older brother in the construction industry.
Dennis married Joyce Van Avery, mother of four, in 1981. They worked together in property management as well as at their own painting company throughout WA, WY, MN, and MT. Dennis became a General Manager at a large-scale property in Billings and later in Helena, where they finally settled for 22 years until their well-deserved joint retirement in 2012. Through the years, Dennis purchased, remodeled and resold several homes. Aside from providing for his family, that hobby was a testament to his many admirable traits; an ambitious go-getter, a handy fixer of most things, and an overall creative eye for detail. We believe Dad’s greatest sadness was the loss of Joyce in 2017. Having always wanted and planned on going first, he did not much appreciate that life dealt him a different hand. God is indeed in control!
Dennis was an outdoorsman and loved fishing and hunting for elk, deer, and game birds. Countless weekends were spent camping and out on his fishing boat. He loved football and hockey, and cheered for every Minnesota team, especially the Vikings. Dad had a reputation of speaking his mind; he did not see much value in considering alternative ways of thinking. There was no question that he loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren beyond measure.
Where the love of his life, Joyce, was the outgoing socializer, Dad was content to be surrounded with his immediate and extended family. Dad felt especially grateful to still have been with us to meet and get to know so many of his grandchildren’s own children – the very ones that upgraded him from ‘Grand’ to ‘Great’ Papa Dennis! Throughout Dad’s years, we all saw numerous instances of his great sense of humor. He loved to get down on the floor with his grandkids and great-grandkids to play – in his eyes they could do no wrong. Especially fond of babies and toddlers, they made him laugh and were the source of many stories he loved to tell of their funny antics.
Dennis is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Lindberg, parents Raynold and Wilma Lindberg of Breckenridge, MN, brother Darwin Lindberg of Billings, MT, sister Darlene Richman of Citrus Heights, CA, sister Eleanor Laehn of Mondovi, WI, stepson Todd Haldorson, Jr., grandson David Hagston Jr, granddaughter Tiffany Hagston.
Dennis is survived by two of his sisters: Gloria Larson of Northglenn, CO and Barb (Gary) Weber of Gilbert, AZ.
He is also survived by his five children: Laura (Robert) Hopkins of Billings, MT, Lisa (Doug) Siggins of Powell, WY, Kristi Lindberg of Helena, MT, Steven Lindberg of East Helena, MT, Kara Hagston (Bennie Marquez) of Forney, TX, as well as 3 stepchildren: Jack (Jenny) Haldorson of Helena, MT, Mark (Kathy) Haldorson of Hamilton, MT, Kristina Blomquist of Helena, MT.
Dennis is also survived by 23 Grandchildren: Leigha Shilhanek, Katie Hopkins, Colby Siggins, Cori Siggins, Callie Lundvall, Cianna Siggins, Cassidy Jasso, Charity Siggins, Karli King, Kelsi Lindberg, Kaden Lindberg, Brandon Hagston, Cassandra Hagston, Jacob Hagston, Sarah Haldorson, Kelsey Haldorson, Kathleen Lemongello, Aris Frost, Keiver Haldorson, Wyatt Haldorson, Calla Haldorson, Sean Blomquist, & Sydney DeTienne.
He is also, remarkably, survived by 15 Great Grandchildren:
Avery Lemongello (11), Easton Siggins (10), Greyson King (8), Kayden Lemongello (7), Weston Siggins (6), Harper King (4), Owen Shilhanek (3), Lynden Braun (3), Magnus Grosfield (3), Abraham Grosfield (2), Waylon Haldorson (2), Ruby Shilhanek (1), Kaisen Siggins (8 mo), Nova Siggins (5 mo), & Brodi Jasso (1 mo).
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 13th at Spring Meadow Lake State Park Pavillion, 2715 Country Club Drive, Helena, MT 59601. Interment Service for Dennis & Joyce Lindberg will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 13th at the committal shelter at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dennis’ favorite charity, St. Jude’s at ‘The Dennis Lindberg Memorial Fund’.
Kay Tschakert Gade says
Thinking of you “kids”— take care in the coming days and weeks ! Hugs to all !
Scott Stone says
May Dennis rest in eternal peace, and we all have memories created over time together that will carry us till we are together again . From the time I met Dennis (Denny) when I was like 8 yrs old I never once seen him not smile, his was infectious! His knowledge of all things mechanical always amazed me. Although I couldn’t stand sitting in a boat I know that wax a passion for Uncle Denny. I imagine his nets are full and his feast has been served upon him!