James Walter Lindstrom

James “Jim” Lindstrom was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, cherished brother, and dear friend. Above all, he was one of the kindest men you could ever meet. His smile could light up a room, his eyes always held a special twinkle, and his warm embrace had a way of making everything feel right. Jim had a rare gift: when you were talking with him, he made you feel as though you were the only person in the room. He was the best listener, always genuinely interested in others, and left everyone he met feeling a little more special.

Born on April 5, 1943, in Elmhurst, Illinois, to John and Dorothy Lindstrom, Jim was one of eight children. He carried the values of family, kindness, and loyalty throughout his life, building a family of his own that became his greatest source of pride and joy.

For 64 beautiful years, Jim was the devoted husband and best friend of his beloved wife, Joy, the love of his life. His love for her was evident in everything he did, especially in the way he cared for her so thoughtfully and completely. He often referred to her as “my girl” when speaking about how special she was to him. Those two simple words said everything about the love and admiration he carried for her. Their life together was a beautiful example of commitment, friendship, and a love that only grew stronger with time.

Jim’s children and grandchildren were his greatest treasures. He was endlessly proud of each of them and never missed an opportunity to remind them how much he believed in them. He made sure they knew they could do anything they set their minds to. His encouragement, unwavering support, and unconditional love were gifts he gave freely and often. The memories made together were what mattered most to Jim—family gatherings filled with laughter, stories, hugs, and the kind of moments that become treasured memories for a lifetime.

Jim had a lifelong love of golf, a passion passed down to him by his own father. It was more than a game to Jim; it was a family tradition and a lifelong fascination. He loved the history of golf and was a true student of the game. You could ask him about nearly any golfer, past or present, and he would have a wonderful story to share. His knowledge extended beyond the players to the history of famous courses, the clubs used throughout the years, and the many stories behind the game. As a teenager, Jim caddied at courses throughout the Chicagoland area and collected stories and memories that he loved sharing. Nothing made him happier than seeing all of his grandchildren develop a love for golf of their own. Passing that tradition down to another generation brought him tremendous joy.

In the 1970s, Jim and Joy moved to Wisconsin after Jim accepted a sales position with the ILLING Company. Through hard work, dedication, and strong relationships, he eventually retired as the company’s Vice President. Later, Jim and Joy retired to The Villages in Florida, where they spent 22 wonderful years enjoying friendships, golf, and, most importantly, time together.

Jim will be remembered not only for the life he lived, but for the way he made others feel. His kindness was genuine, his interest in people was heartfelt, and his love for his family was immeasurable. He gave the very best hugs—the kind you never wanted to let go of and that made you feel completely loved. His warm embrace, infectious smile, and that unmistakable twinkle in his eyes will be missed more than words can express. The world was a better place because Jim was in it, and the love he gave so generously will continue through the lives of all those fortunate enough to have known him.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Joy Lindstrom; his son, James Todd Lindstrom; his daughter, Jill Schmidt, and her husband, Vince Schmidt; and his daughter, Jennifer Carlson, and her husband, Bruce Carlson. He was the very proud grandfather of Spencer Schmidt and his wife, Alison Schmidt; Sophia-Grace Schmidt; Hadalyn Holz and her husband, Jordan Holz; and Wyley Carlson. He is also survived by his beloved sister, Phyllis Green, whom he adored, and her husband, Bruce, brother Mike and his wife Karla, along with many dear friends and extended family members.

Jim leaves behind a legacy of love that can never be measured. One of the sweetest traditions in our family was our little exchange of “I love yous.” We would tell Dad, “I love you,” and he would always answer, “I love you more.” We would then insist, “I love you the mostest,” to which his response was always, “Not possible.” It was such a simple exchange, but one that held so much meaning. It was his way of reminding us that his love was endless, and our way of telling him that no matter how much he loved us, we loved him just as much and more. We will miss those words, his hugs, and the love behind them forever. And somehow, we know he would still insist that loving us more was simply not possible.

On November 2, 2026, Jim went to be with his Heavenly Father. While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that his love, his kindness, and the beautiful memories he created will remain with us always.

A life so beautifully lived, a heart so generously given, and a love that will last forever.

The family will honor Jim’s life with a private memorial dinner at The Club at Lac LaBelle, a place he loved working as a starter during his retirement years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

Until we meet again, Jim, Dad, Bapa, Lucky Lindy… Just Sayin’ Duh…