Obituary of Rev. Dr. Charles D. Lindholm

With his loving family by his side, the Rev. Dr. Charles D. Lindholm quietly passed away with song and prayer on Wednesday April 12, 2017, after a long illness. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Lee Lindholm; his devoted children: daughter, Mialisa Lindholm Herron (Travis) and their children, Emma Lee and Madeline Grace Herron of Scotia; his son, David-Sven (Amy) Lindholm and their children, Nathaniel Emmett and Ella Rose Lindholm of Jericho, Vermont. Rev. Lindholm leaves behind two sisters, Ruth Ann Fullner of Erie, Colorado, and Priscilla (Jim) Alberg of Leawood, Kansas, Elizabeth (deceased) and many nieces and nephews. Charles was born in Roseau, MN, on December 1, 1940. The son of the late Rev. Elmer and Ellen (Swanberg) Lindholm, he grew up in the midwest, and went to college at Augustana (Rock Island, IL). After marrying Nancy Lee on August 15, 1964, Charles attended Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary where he received his masters of Divinity. His first parish was in Rochester, NY, and he served at numerous Lutheran Churches in Upstate New York and the Chicago area. He also undertook missionary work for the American Church in Berlin (ACB), Germany from 1976-79. The Berlin congregation welcomed not only Americans but people from Germany, India and South Africa. These parishioners encouraged dialogue and social actions among all. Close contact with a German church led the first and only English speaking service at the historic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in W. Berlin. He received an award for his ecumenical work. When his family moved to Glenville, NY in 1979, this love of uniting people continued. Charles answered the call to be the pastor of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where he served from 1979 -2000. He continued his ecumenical work, being active and awarded honors from the Capital District Ecumenical Council. Extending his love of life in the community, he found deep pleasure in Rotary International and has been a Paul Harris Fellow for years. He was instrumental in starting the Glenville Rotary Club and also the Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary Club. Through his love of music, he was a volunteer at Proctor’s Theater for over two decades and sang with Albany Pro Musica. This added joy to his daily life. Following his retirement, Charles continued his ministry as a Chaplain at Albany Medical Center, and service on the boards of the American Foreign Christian Union and the American Churches in Europe. During this period Charles earned his Doctor in Divinity at Philadelphia Theological Seminary. To the end he was working on a comprehensive history of the American Church in Berlin. His passion for the mission of that church inspired him to take on the task, a project for which he spent years researching and countless hours writing. The book will be completed by his German and American co-authors. Charles was always there for others in his community and will be truly missed. The Lindholm Family wishes to thank the staff of Glendale Home for the excellent care given to Charles during his stay and also the many friends who visited with words of hope and cheer. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 21st from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the GLENVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 9 Glenridge Rd. East Glenville, NY. A celebration of the resurrection will be held Saturday, April 22nd at 11:00 AM at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 547 Saratoga Rd.