Jonathan D. "John" Lindeen

Jonathan "John" D. Lindeen, 54, of Green Bay, WI passed away at home on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife, son, and mom after a long, courageous, and brave battle with a rare brain tumor. John was born on March 9th, 1971 in Sumpter, North Carolina, the son of Timothy and Trudance (Berg) Lindeen. As a young boy, John and his family moved around due to his father being in the Air Force, returning to Eau Claire, Wisconsin upon his military discharge. There he attended elementary and middle school, later graduating from North High School, class of 1989. He had an amazing childhood, developing deep friendships that remain to this day. Just a few years later, through a chance meeting with friends, he met Michelle Baribeau, the love of his life. They started dating in October of 1991, just five days before he left for 13-weeks of Boot Camp at MCRD, San Diego. With John starting his career in the United States Marine Corps and Michelle continuing her education at UW-Eau Claire, they wrote to each other every day and talked on the phone whenever they could. Actual moments together were cherished, making up for lost time whenever John returned home on leave. In January of 1993, while home for his 10-day belated Christmas visit, John gave Michelle the best gift ever… a ring. They got engaged, later marrying on December 11th, 1993 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Afterwards, Michelle stayed behind until her college graduation in May of 1994, at which time John came home to retrieve his bride. They finally moved back together to John's "home away from home" in Jacksonville, North Carolina where John was stationed at Camp Lejeune, serving as an LAV mechanic and collectively spending over a year and a half overseas on float. His MEU primarily navigated the Mediterranean Sea, visiting parts of Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Bosnia, Israel, Morocco, Malta, and more. John loved traveling, meeting new people, experiencing other cultures, seeing the world around him. He enjoyed the comradery of his fellow Marines. He always embraced the adventure and never shied away from a challenge. While he was gone Michelle stayed back, weathering hurricanes, volunteering with the other wives of the Marine Expeditionary Unit, holding down the fort at home, and missing him terribly.

Upon his return from overseas, John and Michelle decided to start a family. While approaching the end of their pregnancy they found out John's new orders were taking them to 29 Palms, California. However, those abruptly changed as the Marine Corps assigned him to recruiting duty instead. The best part of that for John was that allowed him to move back to Wisconsin. He loved the idea of being surrounded by his family while starting his own. They assigned him to South Milwaukee, working out of the West Allis Office. At that point the two of them packed up the giant U-Haul, hitched-up their second car, and John drove home with an 8-month pregnant wife, two brand new puppies and a father-in-law in tow. They left with no home to drive to, staying with family in their basement for weeks until a rental could be found that would take their new puppies. Now they were BOTH embracing the adventure and couldn't shy away from the challenge. Their motto became "Home is where the Marine Corps sends us."

After much anticipation, they were blessed with their son. They welcomed Logan John Lindeen in July of 1997, naming him after his Dad. John was beaming with pride and so very excited to be a dad. He looked forward to THIS new adventure most of all! With a lot of hard work, countless hours, dedication and discipline, John excelled in his recruiter position, later earning the title Recruiter of the Year. He was humbled and honored to be sent to Washington, D.C. to receive his award and have dinner at the General's home.

John and Michelle bought their first home together in Waukesha, hoping for it to become a more permanent residence for their family. John was a real handy man around the house, taking pride in ownership. He built Logan a swingset, put up a fence, assisted with installing a new roof, and many other maintenance projects. He used all of these as his excuse to add to his growing tool collection. They made four years of wonderful memories in that home, before John's next assignment. Before moving, John's mandatory recruiting duty came up, and he was faced with the difficult but desired decision to change his MOS and sign on as an 8412 choosing to become a career recruiter - something he felt would be safer and more stable to support his new family with the intention of staying home "more often" and maintaining closeness to their extended families.

In 2004, John was relocated to Green Bay to be a stabilizing force in reorganizing a failing office. Next, he was transferred to Des Moines, Iowa to do the same… CLEAN HOUSE! This time John felt there could be another short move around the corner, and he did not want to uproot and move his family again. He chose to keep his family in their new home in Green Bay while he lived simply in a small efficiency apartment during the 6-day work week and traveled home every Saturday evening from Des Moines just to drive back on Sunday. He did that for over a year. That was difficult to say the least.

After entering the United States Marine Corps in 1991, reupping 3 times, and extending once, John was honorably discharged in 2008. John loved the Corps. He loved serving his country. He loved his fellow Marines. He loved that challenge. However, more than any of that, he loved his family and always put them first.

After many long years of working hard and being separated often, he took this opportunity to have some unscripted freedom and personal adventure. John deserved the peace and quiet, and they deserved the quality time with each other.

John's new chapter opened by getting his feet wet in the civilian world selling insurance at Ameriprise. Selling insurance was so much easier than recruiting and selling the Marine Corps during wartime. It was a safe job that John excelled at, like everything else he took on. However, he missed the challenge. He missed the fun. He needed more. In 2009, he sought out an ad for a part time parking attendant on game days at Lambeau Field. He made suggestions, remapped some parking lots, and his initiative was recognized immediately. He jumped at the first opportunity he saw to improve something by making it his own. This is what he was waiting for. Over time, through bosses, mentors, and the many wonderful people he worked with, John had ever-expanding roles leading him to be the Director of Gameday Operations at Lambeau Field/ Director of Parking and Security at PMI Entertainment Group.

They gave him the opportunity to feel fulfilled at work again. His passion was back, something he hadn't felt for a long time. Unfortunately, 15-years later, his failing health forced him to give up doing something he loved. He always hoped he could return.
John had many passions throughout his life. In his youth, he enjoyed Freestyle BMX, building his own quarterpipe and performing with friends at malls and various pop-up locations. Later in life, he settled more for riding his custom-modified Yamaha Roadstar Warrior motorcycle (much to his Mom's dismay:). He loved to dabble in everything...surfing, skiing/snowboarding, bungee jumping, military helicopter repelling, and range shooting. He loved listening to and collecting music, and enjoyed attending many concerts and festivals, especially with his son. He sat and made play lists for hours at a time. He liked to escape with a good book, often rereading the same one more than once. He looked forward to fishing when he was younger, and carp fishing when he was older. He appreciated a cold beer after a hard day's work, or a great Irish whiskey when he wanted something more, and a nice cigar with friends on special occasions. Later in life, he rediscovered golf, and enjoyed the serenity of the course hitting the ball wherever it may land. He cherished comradery with friends in every period of his life. He built strong relationships and made an impact on everyone he met. He loved the curiosity of how things worked…taking them apart and rebuilding them until he mastered it. He often relaxed with his family watching a good movie or a favorite TV show while sitting in his chair and enjoying a good home-cooked meal. With his poor eyesight and hearing, he could still follow along, and Price is Right reruns with Bob Barker became his latest favorite. He loved his work - happy to put in the time and do his part to make a difference. And, oh, how he loved his family - his constant thought and devotion, his peace, his pride and joy! It speaks for itself. He kept his faith personal, more quiet and reserved, rather choosing to demonstrate it outwardly on a daily basis by HOW he lived his life… always with kindness, acceptance, respect, purpose, and true conviction.

He was so many things to so many people. John was quick-witted and sarcastic with his dry sense of humor. He was really funny!. He had a great smile. He had gentle eyes that lit up whenever he was excited. He was proud and strong-willed. He never compromised. If he believed in something, he stood behind it, despite the consequences. He was a good listener. He was a thoughtful gift giver - always remembering something you said in the past that you wanted, and he would tuck it away in his memory, then give it to you making you feel so special. People always wanted to be around him. He had a BIG presence! He was real. He loved hard. He was so full of life.
John is survived by his wife; Michelle, his son; Logan, his "mama"; Trudy, his father; Timothy, one brother; Tim Jr (Andrea), Brothers-in-law; Jason Baribeau, and Andrew (Laura) Baribeau. He is further survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; James and Shirley Berg, paternal grandparents; Bruce and Elizabeth Lindeen, his Mother-in-law and Father-in-law; Camille and Larry Baribeau, and one Sister-in-law; Jennifer Baribeau.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Resch Expo, 840 Armed Forces Dr, Green Bay Wisconsin, on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, followed by an Honor Guard Salute at Brown County Veterans Memorial on the adjacent Plaza.
In addition to flowers, a memorial fund has been established in John's name to purchase bricks at the Brown County Veteran's Memorial and at Lambeau Field in his remembrance.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the surgeons, doctors, many nurses, medical professionals, therapists, staff and volunteers at UW-Health Madison, Mayo Clinic Rochester, and Aurora Baycare Medical Center Green Bay. We also would like to thank The American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge Rochester MN, Stella Maris Foundation, Moments Hospice, Hansen Family Funeral and Cremation Services, and of course PMI Entertainment Group, The Green Bay Packers Organization, Royal Montessori Academy, and countless family, friends, co-workers, community, and even strangers who blessed and supported us along this journey, holding John and our family in their thoughts and prayers. We could not have done it without you. We feel lucky to have you in our lives.

John was an incredible man! He was the BEST husband and Dad! That is why he simply does NOT fit into just a few paragraphs, he just doesn't. Knowing who he was… that's what made the last two and a half years so hard to watch, so very hard to live through. We have seen so much taken from him, everything taken from him! John was so strong! He kept us strong. He was beyond brave! He is our hero! John never complained, NOT ONCE! He found things to smile about every day. His harsh treatments may have extended and given him life, but they slowly took his living. He fought to be here with us, and we fought to keep him here. It was our honor to be able to care for him. Our lives will never be the same without him. We will always love you. We will always miss you. You will be forever in our hearts. "WE LOVE YOU more than all of everything."