TOPEKA — Gary L. Lindbloom, Topeka, transitioned to his eternal life Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Kelly House of Topeka, surrounded by his family. He was 79.
He was born June 20, 1943, in Eskridge, the third son of Wilford and Eileen (Pearson) Lindbloom. He attended Miller Grade School and Rapp Country School, and was a 1961 graduate of Osage City High School, where he played basketball, was active in Future Farmers of America, and was president of his class his senior year.
Gary met Oneta Dowell at his Osage City High School prom in 1961. They were married Jan. 11, 1964, at Lebo Baptist Church. In 1968, they started their family of three girls, Traci, Vikki and Erin.
He worked in the Kansas City Stockyards while receiving his Auto Mechanic School Certification, then returned to Osage City to join the family farming operation, where he was mentored by his father, W.C. Lindbloom. It was there he pursued his lifelong passion as a cattleman/farmer. His passions were his cattle and quarter horses he bred to be used on the farm. The family farm was a partnership with his father and brother, Dick Lindbloom. It was a large operation, with 1,500 head of cattle on over 3,500 acres of owned land, and another 3,500 acres of rented land, and was featured in New York magazine in the mid-1970s, in which the farm was recognized as a multinational business enterprise.
Gary showed his love for his daughters by fixing bicycle tires, repairing wagons, saddling horses, and assisting with their 4-H projects, including horses, cattle and sheep. He regularly attended their sporting events, and especially enjoyed teaching his girls how to ride go carts and mini bikes.
He was a member of the Stotler Evangelical Covenant Church, where he and his family attended regularly. Aside from farming and his family, he loved flying. He received his pilot’s license in 1969, including single engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings. He owned his own plane while serving in the Kansas Flying Farmers, and participated in charities, such as the Cappers Penny-a-Pound flights and many other projects. He also served several years on his township board.
Following the farm crisis of the 1980s, Gary transitioned from ranching to selling real estate, where he sold over $1 million of real estate in his first year. He worked for Bill Lewis Realtors, Coldwell Banker and Countrywide Real Estate, Topeka. He also worked at the Osage County Appraisers Office while selling real estate. Gary and Oneta moved from Osage City to Topeka in the early 2000s, where they became members of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene. After retiring from real estate, he worked at Sam’s Club, Topeka, until his heath declined in 2017, and he began living with his daughter and son-in-law, Vikki and Gary Hinck. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilford and Eileen Lindbloom, and his oldest brother, Dick Lindbloom (Nancy).
Gary is survived by Oneta Lindbloom, Topeka; his three children, Traci Holsinger (Tavis), Olathe, Vikki Hinck (Gary), Topeka, and Erin Hart (Justin), Price Utah; eight grandchildren, Connor Holsinger (Avery) and Mitchell Holsinger, Olathe, John Hink, Topeka, Kennedy Hinck (Lucas Paris), Topeka, Katelyn Hinck, Manhattan, Brett Hinck, Topeka, Rylan Hart, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Maddux Hart, Price, Utah; one great-granddaughter, Cassidy Hinck, Topeka; and his brother, Lowell Lindbloom (Jeanine), Topeka.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Kelley House of Topeka and Ascend Health Hospice, Lawrence, for their caring and compassionate care for Gary during his final days.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Rapp Cemetery, west of Osage City. The family will receive friends 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, Osage City. The family invites attendees to join them for fellowship following the service, at Vikki and Gary’s home, 8733 Southwest 37th Street, Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Lindbloom Memorial Fund, to benefit the staff at Kelly House of Topeka, and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. 6th St., Osage City, KS 66523.
Condolences may be expressed at VanArsdaleFS.com.
