Longtime Berthoud resident John Lindgren passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. Generous, kind, and always interested in the world around him, John is deeply missed by his family and friends.

John was born June 20, 1927, to John and Esther Reeves Lindgren in Chicago, Ill. He grew up on Chicago’s south side and loved to share stories about life there during that time. John graduated from Lindblom Technical High School, Chicago, in 1945. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951 and Master of Business Administration in 1956 from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He served in the U.S. Navy as a midshipman aviation cadet during World War II.

John married Claire Anderson in 1956. The couple settled in Boulder, Colo., and raised three children; Chris, Doug and Lisa. Together the family enjoyed skiing and traveling in Mexico. John was employed as a civil defense director for System Development Corp. and the University of Colorado, and later as project manager for Johnson Controls.

John was an avid traveler, regularly visiting family in various parts of the country. He took pride in having been in all 50 states and traveled outside the country extensively as well, visiting Europe and Asia.

He moved to Berthoud in 1999 and was a fixture at his grandchildren’s sports and school events. He rarely missed a game, even when the grandchildren were warming the bench. John was also a regular patron of the Berthoud hardware store, Hays Market and Grandpa’s Café. He could frequently be found sitting in the front yard of his Fourth Street home watching the world go by while he worked the day’s crossword puzzle.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters, Virginia McCormick and Margie Coyle. He was close to both sisters throughout their lives and served as a respected patriarch of their families as well.

John is survived by his children and their families: Chris and Marcy Lindgren of Hilton Head, S.C., (Jenny and Tyler Dingus, Jessica and Christopher); Doug Lindgren and wife, Sue Lenthe, of Berthoud, Colo. (Charlie and Maya); and Lisa Lindgren and husband, Don Shepard of Longmont, Colo., (Cavin and Coleman). He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Graveside services were held Oct. 9 at Greenlawn Cemetery in Berthoud.