TOPEKA, Kan. – Gary L. Lindbloom, 79, Topeka, Kan., transitioned to his eternal life Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born June 20, 1943 in Eskridge, Kan., the third son of Wilford and Eileen (Pearson) Lindbloom.
He attended Miller grade school, Rapp School, and was a 1961 graduate of Osage City High School, Osage City, Kan. In high school, Gary played basketball and was active in the Future Farmers of America, of which he was elected president his senior year.
After high school, Gary worked in the Kansas City stockyards while receiving his auto mechanic school certification. After graduation, he 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 and 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, W.C. Lindbloom, and his brother, Dick Lindbloom. It was a large operation with 1,500 head of cattle, 3,500 acres of owned land, and 3,500 rented acres. The farm was featured in the New York magazine in mid 1970s, recognizing it as a multinational business enterprise.
Gary met Oneta (Dowell) in 1961 at his Osage City prom. They married on Jan. 11, 1964, at Lebo Baptist Church. In 1968, Gary and Oneta started their family of three girls, Traci, Vikki, and Erin.
Gary showed his love for his daughters by fixing bicycle tires, repairing wagons, saddling horses, and assisting with their 4H projects with horses, cattle and sheep. He regularly attended the girls’ sporting events, and especially enjoyed teaching his girls how to ride a go cart and minibike. Gary was a member of the Stotler Evangelical Covenant Church, where he and his family attended regularly.
Aside from farming and his family, another one of Gary’s passions was 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 more than a million dollars of real estate in his first year. He worked for Bill Lewis Realtors, Coldwell Banker, and Countrywide Real Estate, in 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, Gary worked at Sam’s Club, Topeka, until his heath declined in 2017, and he began living with his daughter, Vikki, and son in law, Gary Hinck. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Gary is survived by Oneta Lindbloom, Topeka; his children, Traci (Tavis) Holsinger, Olathe, Kan., Vikki (Gary) Hinck, Topeka, and Erin (Justin) Hart, Price, Utah; eight grandchildren, Connor (Avery) Holsinger, Mitchell Holsinger, Olathe, John Hinck, Topeka, Kennedy (Lucas Paris) Hinck, Topeka, Katelyn Hinck, Manhattan, Brett Hinck, Topeka, Rylan Hart, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Maddux Hart, Price, Utah; great-grandchild, Cassidy Hinck; and brother, Lowell Lindbloom (Jeanine), Topeka.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Wilford and Eileen Lindbloom; and his oldest brother, Dick (Nancy) Lindbloom.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Rapp Cemetery, west of Osage City. The family will receive friends 6-7 p.m. Friday, at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, Osage City. The family would like to invite attendees to join them for fellowship following the service at 8733 SW 37th St., Topeka, Kan.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Gary Lindbloom Memorial Fund, to benefit the staff at Kelley House. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Kelley house of Topeka on Fairmont and Ascend Health Hospice of Lawrence for their caring and compassionate care for Gary during his final days.
