August 9, 1933– October 1, 2023
James Lindahl died peacefully in his home on October 1, 2023. Private services were held this week and family and friends expressed gratitude for the recent opportunity to gather in his home the previous month to help celebrate his 90th birthday where he clearly had a blast.
Jim was born in Oakland, Nebraska to Clifford Jonathan and Una (Shumway) Lindahl. He grew up in Northeast Nebraska, attended Oakland High, where he was a varsity football tackle standout on a championship team his senior year. At 6 feet 4 inches, he was an imposing figure on the defensive line.
He married the love of his life, Beverly Jane Heywood in Fremont in October of 1953. They were blessed with two children: Debra Lee and Douglas Jay. Jim went to work as a lineman for the telephone company at 15 years of age, moving about the region and eventually to the AT&T corporate headquarters in New York City and back to Northwestern Bell in Omaha as he was promoted to executive leadership in the rapidly evolving telecommunications field. He retired after 50 years.
Jim was an avid sportsman, and traveled for many years to Lake of the Woods, Ontario with his family to angle for walleye, bass and northern pike. Jim and Jane built their dream home on a 25 acre homestead in Omaha where they converted farmland into a wildlife refuge with native prairie grasses. Up until his passing he mowed the fields regularly, high atop spending long hours on the tractor.
Known and respected by all for his methodical and agile mind, he could be relied upon for advice in financial matters, DIY projects, and paigow poker strategy. He was challenged by only the most difficult crossword puzzles and was known to complete these error free, using an ink pen! He loved Cornhusker sports, both Mens' and Womens' teams, with a particular fondness for the highly successful Womens' volleyball squad.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, and son Doug and his older brother Dick Lindahl. He is survived by his daughter, Debra Rosenquist of Augusta, Georgia, daughter in law, Shelly (Taylor) Lindahl of Omaha and grandchildren, Jessica Lindahl of Omaha and James (Jimmy) Lindahl of Lincoln Nebraska and his beloved great grandchild, Wrigley Lindahl. He is also survived by his niece, Jini Lindahl Voss (Robert) of Omaha, and their children and grandchildren.
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