Warren Willard Lindstrom

Warren Willard Lindstrom was born in Iron River, Michigan. His father was S. Willard Lindstrom and his mother was Myrtle Shovald Lindstrom Mahlberg. He grew up in the small mining town of Stambaugh, Michigan with his brothers Charles Lowell Lindstrom and Mark Thomas Mahlberg. He had a close knit extended family who lived very close to each other and enjoyed family picnics and gatherings at the many surrounding lakes. Warren's grandfather started one of the first Ford dealerships in Michigan and knew Henry Ford. Warren always loved Model Ts and remembered well his first ride in a Model T when he was very young.

When Warren graduated from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He served in the Armed Guard and completed almost 30 Atlantic crossings. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

When he returned from his service in the Navy, he attended and graduated from Moody Bible Institute and North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. North Park College is where he met his wife, Ethel. They married in 1949 and moved to Lansing, Michigan where Warren completed his degree in Elementary Education at Michigan State University. He began teaching 5th grade in Lansing. His daughters Christine Gail and Kathleen Elise were born in 1952 and 1953.

Warren then attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton, Massachusetts. He began his service as a minister and pastor at several churches in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Michigan. His 3rd daughter, Janine Beth was born in Marion, Ohio in 1956. His son, Paul Warren was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1964.

Later in his life he became an agent for New York Life. After retiring, he drove a shuttle bus and volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels.

Warren was interested in sports throughout his life. He lettered in football and basketball in high school. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and Michigan State Spartans fan. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis.

Warren loved family gatherings and camping. The family often visited relatives in Iron River and on the east coast where Ethel's family lived. He bought a lot on Camp Lake in Iron River where the family vacationed for several summers. After selling this property, he bought a travel trailer and took whoever wanted to go on short camping trips.

Most of all, Warren loved nature and writing about his observations. He always had a pad of paper and pen close by. He liked to sit on a porch or outside on a chair and write a poem or short story about what he saw or was thinking about. His favorite subjects were trees, flowers, clouds, rocks, and birds. He also sometimes would capture what he saw on his camera. Photography was another passion of his throughout his life. He would often write his sermons while he was sitting surrounded by nature. He shared this love of nature and the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Warren was a storyteller and educator at heart. He liked to share stories of his childhood, life experiences and his family history. He devoted his later years to researching and writing a history of his family which he donated to the Iron County Historical Museum. He believed strongly in the importance of education and learning new things. He often read books and was especially interested in religion and philosophy. He liked to read to the children in his life. He liked to go to history and art museums. He liked to take trips with his family to explore new places. He was a life long learner.

His church life was very important to him. He believed that he was called upon to spread the Word of God. He was very involved in forming and facilitating Bible study groups, Christian education programs, youth groups, and church camps. He thoroughly enjoyed his breakfast discussions with his close friends.

Music was another important part of his life. He played the trumpet and was in a band as a young man. He liked to listen to records from the 1940s and 1950s. He especially liked Perry Como. He had many favorite hymns that he liked to sing.

Warren's family is very thankful for all of the loving care he received at the end of his life. Many amazing people visited him, cared for him, and supported the family. We will always be grateful to his friends and the staff at Bedford Falls and Brookhaven Hospice.

Warren is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ethel Lindstrom, daughters Kathy Main (Bill), Janine Cafarella (Joe), son Paul Lindstrom, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. His daughter, Christine died in 1993.

Donations in memory of Warren may be made to Covenant Point Bible Camp, 358 W. Hagerman Lake Road, Iron River, Michigan 49935 or Bethany Covenant Church, 1 Covenant Way, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110. You may also choose the Plant-A-Tree Program at Hiawatha National Forest, 820 Rains Drive, Gladstone, Michigan 49837. Warren loved to plant trees and watch them grow.