Maridene E. Lundstrom

Maridene Esther Lundstrom
December 22, 1929 ~ March 25, 2024

Maridene Esther Lundstrom, 94, of Lindsborg, passed away March 25, 2024. She was a long-time resident of Lindsborg. She was married to Robert Lee Lundstrom, a farmer, carpenter, WWII veteran, and active church member in Lindsborg where they raised 3 children. Bob passed away in 2012.

She was born on a farm SE of Stafford, KS. Daughter of Samuel Brent and Alma Alice (Langdon) Newell and sister to Carroll (Doris) Newell, Margaret (Bob) Humphrey, and Clinton Newell. Maridene attended Eureka Rural Grade School, Stafford HS, and Bethany College where she graduated in 1951, majoring in Music Education. She taught music at Lincoln Grade School in Goodland, KS one year after graduation.

In 1952 she married Arthur Hanson, also a graduate of Bethany College as well as the Theological Seminary at Rock Island, IL. During that time, Maridene taught in San Francisco for a year when Arthur was positioned there. They then lived in Wolverton and later Comstock, Minnesota from 1954 to 1957.Arthur served these communities as a Lutheran Pastor. During this time, Stephen (1955), David (1956), and Paul (1959) were born. Arthur was serving a rural church congregation in East Grand Forks, MN at the time of his death in April 1960.

Following his death, Maridene with her 3 children moved back to Lindsborg. Directly across the street was where her future husband, Bob Lundstrom lived. They married on June 16, 1962. Bob and his brother Lawrence farmed land near Fremont Lutheran Church west of Lindsborg. They remained in Lindsborg where their 3 sons attended high school and college.

For decades, Maridene taught piano lessons to multiple generations of students, many of whom competed at regional and state levels. Maridene and Bob were both very active in the congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Sunday School teacher, children’s choir leader, sang in the church choir, and held many other roles as a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a Soprano Secretary Chair for Lindsborg’s annual Messiah Festival and sang for over 50 years in Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion.

Maridene always found great joy in serving and supporting others in Lindsborg and area communities. She was known for her unwavering spiritual faith and optimism, as well as listening to and comforting others in times of need through her roles in Stephen Ministries and Women of the ELCA. At Bethany Home she was part of the unofficial welcome committee for new residents and staff recently described her as very gifted in helping others feel cared for.

Maridene loved to cook for her community and family. Family members recall the festive Sunday and holiday dinners at home, her full course meals (often a hearty chicken dinner brought out to feed workers at harvest time or baling hay), her legendary cinnamon rolls, Swedish tea rings, pies, cookies, and more. She regularly asked to include a short time of scripture reading and prayer after main meals gathered with others.

Maridene is survived by her sons Stephen (Carol) Hanson, David (Lori) Hanson, and Paul (Robin) Hanson. She has 5 grandchildren: Sarah (John) Werner, Brent (Pam) Hanson, Destiny Hanson, Clara Hanson, and Addie Hanson. She has 8 great grandchildren: Isaiah, Malakai, Delani, Ben, Sam, Kate, James, and Luke, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

The visitation will be Friday, April 5th from 5-7 pm at Crick-Christians Funeral Home, 103 N Washington St. Lindsborg, KS 67456.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, April 6th, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N Main St. Lindsborg, KS with Rev. Dr. Mandy Todd officiating. A burial will follow at Fremont Cemetery, west of Lindsborg. A reception at Bethany Lutheran Church will follow the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, and Bethany Home. Memorials may be sent in care of the funeral home.