Gary L. Lindbloom, 79, Topeka, transitioned to his eternal life Friday, February 10, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born in Eskridge Kansas, the third son of Wilford and Eileen (Pearson) Lindbloom. He attended Miller grade school, Rapp Country school and was a 1961 graduate of Osage City High School. In high school, Gary played basketball and was active in the Future Farmers of America, where 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 Cattlemen-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 that owned over 3,500 acres of land, rented another 3,500 acres and was featured in the New York magazine in mid 1970s recognizing the farm as a multinational business enterprise.
Gary met Oneta (Dowell) at his Osage City Prom in 1961. They married on January 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 including 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 over 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 2000’s, where they became members of Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene. After retiring from real estate, Gary worked at Sam’s Club in 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 and his children, Traci (Tavis) Holsinger of Olathe, Vikki (Gary) Hinck of Topeka, Erin (Justin) Hart of Price Utah, his eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his brother Lowell Lindbloom (Jeanine), Topeka. His grandchildren include Connor (Avery) Holsinger, Mitchell Holsinger (Olathe), John Hinck (Topeka), Kennedy (Lucas Paris) Hinck (Topeka), Katelyn Hinck (Manhattan) and Brett Hinck (Topeka), Rylan Hart (Salt Lake City, Utah), Maddux Hart (Price, Utah) and one great-grand daughter Cassidy Hinck (John-Topeka). Gary was preceded in death by his parents Wilford and Eileen Lindbloom and his oldest brother Dick (Nancy) Lindbloom. 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.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Rapp Cemetery west of Osage City. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 P.M. at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. The family would like to invite attendees to join them for fellowship following the service at 8733 SW 37th St., Topeka, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gary Lindbloom Memorial fund to benefit the staff at Kelley House. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.