Omer Lindman

Omer R. Lindman, 96, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born June 21, 1909, in Maywood, Ill.

His father, Frank, worked for the railroad, and his mother, Annie, was a homemaker caring for eight children. He attended Proviso High School in Maywood. He was employed by Rathbun Farm Products in Elgin, Ill., from 1935 to 1943.

Leaving behind his family and friends to serve his country, he left his 1938 Packard in the care of his father.

He entered the U.S. Army Sept. 18, 1943, serving in the Southern Philippines and Ryukyus campaigns. He received the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, two overseas service bars, and Good Conduct Medal. He served as a crane operator in the 173rd Engineer Battalion, and received an honorable discharge Nov. 17, 1945.

Omer met his wife Bergit Torgerson at a church function before World War II. She was born in Norway and during the war she and her sister produced a newspaper that was sent to the GIs overseas.

Together they built a log cabin in Lombard, Ill., and resided there until moving to Elgin where they raised three sons. Omer was employed at Ludwig Dairy in Elgin until he retired.

Omer and Bergit retired to Bull Shoals, Ark. There they became active members of the Methodist Church. They enjoyed the beauty of Arkansas as well as the fishing.

He came to live in Missouri with his son Kevin and family in 2000. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Church and became a member of Mississippi Valley Packard Club.

Omer enjoyed fishing, camping and mechanical work.

Loving survivors include three sons, Orin Paul Lindman and wife Patty of Dexter, Mo., Kevin Robert Lindman and wife Marlene of Jackson, Daryl John Lindman of Bull Shoals; six grandchildren, Laura, Brian, William, Daniel, Arthur and Eric; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Bob and Marie Williamson of Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Torv and Dot Torgerson of Pensacola, Fla.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. today.

Visitation will also be held from 10 a.m. to service time Monday at Kirby Funeral Home in Bull Shoals.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Missouri Veterans Home.