April 15, 1927 ~ December 25, 2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Don Lindman on December 25, 2012.
Don was predeceased by Beth, his wife of 52 years, his parents Ivar and Edith Lindman, and his siblings Emily, Robert, Elizabeth, and Clarence.
He is survived by his sister Edna Knights, his daughters Jean (Mike) Jones, Daless Chalmers, Donna (Ken) Cofield, and Joyce (Tim) Smith, and by ten grandchildren: Ashley, Christopher, and Sarah Fisher; Jesse, Ben, Anna, and Lyall Chalmers; Corissa and Megan Cofield; and Donald Harrison, as well as many cousins and good friends.
Don was born in Cranbrook, B.C., and moved shortly to Calgary and then to the farm his Dad homesteaded in Northern Saskatchewan, where he grew up. As a boy he cut cordwood and had a trapline to make a bit of money, he attended a one-room country school until the end of grade nine. He then helped his Dad farm and later worked for the Saskatchewan Dept. Of Natural Resources until 1950 when he decided to join uncles and cousins logging in B.C.
Don met Beth Sypher, the love of his life, and they married in 1955. They moved into a house in Black Creek and lived there for the rest of their married life, and had a family of four little girls. He was a devoted family man, and over the years was a faller, owned and operated the Black Creek Service Station, and ran a logging operation with his brother Clarence.
An avid golfer and curler Don was instrumental in developing the prototype for the Hammer curling broom which was used all over the world for a time, and also invented and developed the machines to manufacture it. He also served on the board of directors at Sunnydale Golf Course for a time.
Never one to pass up on some excitement, Don drove a stock car at the Oyster River Speedway on the original dirt track, and went on to act as pit boss for a few years on the new paved oval. Some will remember #122 racing around the track.
Don could often be found creating magic in his shop as he turned out some beautiful and unique pieces of furniture and other wood work.
Don was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother and son and we are all better people for knowing him. He will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 5, at Sunnydale Golf Course from 1-4p.m. No flowers by request, donations may be made in Don’s name to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Lung Association. Please bring your stories to share.