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Axel Wilbert LindstromAxel Wilbert Lindstrom was born Nov. 23, 1909, to David and Anna Lindstrom in Royalton Township, Pine County. He grew up on the family farm attending the local school and rural church. As young adults, Wilbert and his brothers operated a sawmill where they all were involved in sawing logs. At an early age, Wilbert was influenced by local carpenter Tom Seymour. It was here in Rush City under Tomís guidance that Wilbert began learning the trade of carpentry, which would be his vocation for the next 50 plus years. While living in Rush City Wilbert traveled to Willmar and Rosemount areas where he worked as a carpenter foreman. In 1934, Wilbert married Dorothy Anderson of Rush Point and the couple began to raise their family of three boys. The next few years saw Wilbert working on the Alaskan Highway. Trees would be dozed down and Wilbert and a group of carpenters would be the first men in that area for the purpose of building barracks for the road crew and the U.S. Government. Working as far as Fort Nelson, Alaska, which ended his two-year commitment, Wilbert returned to Rush City where he was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army. Wilbert served in WW II in the infantry and was transferred overseas Oct. 21, 1944. He was involved in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre attaining the rank of Corporal and upon discharge in 1945 returned to Rush City. An active carpenter, Wilbert built himself a new home in Rush City and several buildings including the lumber yard, roller rink and many cabins on Rush Lake. In 1953, the family moved to Richfield and Wilbert continued to be active in the building construction profession. Wilbert was known by many as an honest, hard-working man who had a great love for the outdoors. An avid hunter, he and his brothers boasted of deer hunting for 71 years on their own hunting land at Meadowlands. The old hunting shack was replaced with a more modern facility in 1990 and became known as ěLindyís Lodgeî and is being enjoyed by subsequent generations of ěLindstromî deer hunters. Wilbert also loved to fish and owned a cabin for over 50 years on West Rush Lake, which he built. He was a current member of House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Richfield and had been a 50-year member of the Carpenterís Union and a member of the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post 6692 while living in Rush City. Wilbert enjoyed participating in the VFW military honors group that provides the gun salute at funerals. Surviving Wilbert are his three sons Eldon (Ruby) Lindstrom of Babbitt; Jerry (Vivian) Lindstrom of Bloomington; Virg (Karen) Lindstrom of Ham Lake; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, sisters Florence Brinkman and Myrtle Forslin both of Pine City; sister-in-law Emma Lindstrom of Pine City; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents David and Anna (Carlson) Lindstrom, wife Dorothy, brothers Clarence, Howard, Hubert and Aldo Lindstrom. Rev. Keith Kolzow officiated at funeral services Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church at Rush Point. Jan Johnson played the organ and accompanied soloist Lawrence V. Olson. The casket bearers included grandsons Rick, Scott, Brent, Michael, David and Allen Lindstrom and great-grandsons Chris and Tim Lindstrom with the interment in the church cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Grothe-Jacobson VFW Post #6692 of Rush City. Funeral arrangements were by Funeral & Cremation Service of Rush City Olson Chapel. ©ECM Post Review |