Arthur Lindstrom

B: June 29, 1944 D: August 28, 2008

Arthur H. “Art” Lindstrom, Jr., Polson, passed away of complications with leukemia, on Thursday, Aug. 28, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. Loving hands of family members surrounded him as he begins another adventure. Art was born in Monroe, Louisiana on June 29, 1944 to A. Hugo Lindstrom, of Missoula and Doris (Fryberger) Lindstrom, Charlo. Art lived most of the past 64 years in Missoula, Frenchtown or Polson. Art married Valerie Siphers, of Arlee, in 1969. He attended schools in Missoula, was a University of Montana student for many years before joining the Montana National Guard in 1968. Art was an adventurous spirit who was an avid hunter, fisherman, scuba diver and skydiver in his early years and continued with backpacking and hiking, downhill and cross-country skiing and photography throughout his life. He always enjoyed a good beer at the end of the day. Art was foremost an aviator. His interest in aviation began early. As a child he walked a few blocks to the airport, Hale Field, now the site of Missoula’s Sentinel High School and could be found playing in the old airframes scattered around Johnson Flying Service (JFS). He began working for JFS in 1965 as a ramp attendant, took flying lessons and in 1966, after achieving his commercial endorsements, he began his seasonal job as a co-pilot on DC-3s. He became a fulltime JFS employee in 1967 flying captain on the DC-3 and Twin Otter. He worked for JFS and later Evergreen Helicopters after they purchased JFS in 1975. Art left flying in 1976 to spend more time with his family. He tried various professions but the love for flying was too strong. At the age of 40 he realized his dream by being hired by United Airlines where he flew 18 years before retiring in 2003. He then returned to his favorite flying job, dropping smokejumpers from the Twin Otter during the summers of 2004 through 2006. Art was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Polson, a Cheerful Heart, Inc. board member, a member of the Montana Pilots’ Association and Mission Valley Hanger. At the time of his passing he published the MPA bi-monthly newsletter and was Webmaster for the MPA Web site. Survivors include his mother, Doris, Missoula; sister, Janet, Sun City West, Arizona; wife, Valerie, Polson; son, Jeff and daughter-in-law Jenn and granddaughter Emma, Broomfield, Colo.; Nicole, Steamboat Springs, Colo. and Nicole’s fiancé Alan Lindenlaub, Kremmling, Colo. The family is truly grateful to Dr. William Nichols, Montana Cancer Center, for keeping Art flying and living for the last eight years and the center’s wonderfully supportive staff of chemo nurses for their capable hands and loving care; and during our 20-day hospital stay St. Pat’s ICU staff, and all the nurses on 5 North. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Polson, 301 16th Ave. E., Polson followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. The family suggests memorials to Cheerful Heart, Inc., P.O. Box 688, Polson, MT 59860 (a non-profit providing non-medical services to Lake County cancer patients since 2002); the First United Methodist Church Technical Advances Fund, 301 16th Ave. E., Polson, MT 59860; or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National MS Society, PO Box 4527, New York, NY 10163,800-344-4867. The guestbook and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com

Sept. 3, 2008
Hayden, Idaho
I am so sorry that you lost Art so early in his Autumn years. I went to HS with Art we all called him "Smiley" at that time. I remember him as a friendly fellow who liked most everyone....and most everyone liked him as well. My thoughts and prayers are with him in "the next life" and with the family. Sally Durrant Bras

9/4/08
Frenchtown
Dear Valerie and family, I saw Art's obituary in the paper was was saddened to see you had lost him so young. I will be thinking of you and hoping you will be able to remember all the wonderful and good times as you cope with losing him. Sincerely, Karen Adams (I was in book club with you out in FT)

09/04/08
Missoula
Valeria and Family So sorry to see you lost your darling Art. I have always been fond of both of you. He was always smiling and had a happy way about him. He will be missed. Marilou Lewis

9/5/2008
missoula
Val, Nicole and Jeff. I was saddenned to hear this week to hear Art had passed. How wonderful, though, to read about some of the highlights of his life in his obituary. I'm thankful that I got to see him, and I promise to make a list of some of his concerns and projects that he would like to see us improve on pt care in the hospital! :) Classic. Just like when he would videotape Nicole waterskiing and then review her form with her at the end of day. I'm sorry I can't make it to the service tomorrow, but I'll be thinking about him, and especially about all of you. Take care. Kasey

9/13/2008
Puyallup, WA
My thoughts, prayers and sympathies to the Lindstrom family. I was saddened to hear of Mr Lindstrom's passing (yes, after all these years and being neighbors twice, it is still Mr. Old habits die hard). I am thankful that he was able to live his dreams and was blessed with a wonderful family. May God be with you during this time and always. Pat Botsford

September 15, 2008
Mardi Milligan from Missoula, MT
Dear Valerie, So many wonderful relationships began at the University of Montana. You and Art are both stored in my memory bank of those fondest of memories. I just wanted you to know you and your family are all in my prayers. This all happened way too soon. Love and hugs, Mardi Milligan PO Box 17137 Missoula, MT 59808 406-542-9258 mardi@mardimilligan.com

3 December 2008
Frenchtown, Montana
Valerie and family, As usual, I'm late in getting information and I learned of Art's passing from a brief conversation with Eric Braun at the Missoula airport yesterday as he was leaving and I helped him at the Horizon Air ticket counter. I am so sorry that Art has passed on and I offer you my condolences. It was a lot of fun to see him and you in those moments when he was going and to and from the Missoula airport, sometimes using Horizon Air to get home from his United Airlines base: was it really more than five years ago? I hadn't known that he was flying the smoke jumpers' Twin Otter...having worked at the Missoula airport, I often watched the Otter come and go and fly around the field and drop the jumpers...and to think Art was flying on some of those occasions. Well, I have always been impressed with his skill and ready smile. --Cary Holmquist, former co-worker at University of Montana.

30-12-2008
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