Dr. Raymond Lindeman

1924 - 2021

Dr. Raymond Lindeman

Paynesville - Dr. Raymond J. Lindeman passed away peacefully on Monday, March 15, 2021, at the age of 96. A celebration of life will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Alzheimer's Association, Paynesville Lions Club, or Paynesville Lutheran Church. services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. www.hafh.org Dr. Raymond Jacob Lindeman was born June 23, 1924, in Delmont, SD to Jacob and Martha (Will) Lindeman. He grew up in Parkston, SD, and graduated from Parkston High School in1942. Following high school, he graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota. It was there that he was cast in a musical production alongside Constance Kriens. He and Connie sang a duet, "Let the Rest of the World Go By" and on November 24, 1945, he and Connie were united in marriage. They moved to Tennessee, where he earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in 1948. Dr. Ray did his internship at Ancker Hospital in St. Paul, MN, and moved to Paynesville in 1949. Ray enlisted in the Army Air Corps from 1942-46 and was a US Air Force Flight Surgeon-Captain in 1954-55. Dr. Ray was a family physician in Paynesville from 1949-1994. He & Connie raised their five children there, giving them all a solid foundation. His family station wagon doubled as the Paynesville Ambulance in those early years. He was known for his gentle bedside manner, kindness & compassion. He proudly delivered well over 3000 babies during his career in Paynesville. His wife Connie died in 1999, following a battle with multiple myeloma. In 2001 Ray married Mary Lou Strande. The two were married until her death in November 2020. During the course of his life, Dr. Ray was a member of the Paynesville Lions Club, where he earned Perfect Attendance from 1950-2000. He served in all roles at one time or another & served several terms as District Governor of District 5M8. He was a dedicated member of Paynesville Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities. Among the many accomplishments, he achieved in 96 years were being the President of the MN Academy of Family Physicians, a 16-year member of the Paynesville School Board, Clinical Associate Professor (Department of Family Medicine) at the University of MN, and serving on the Mayo Clinical Reviews Committee from 1974- until well into his retirement. Ray was a master woodworker, creating rocking horses, rocking chairs, toy boxes, games, cradles, and many other creations for his grandchildren. Those treasures have been proudly passed on to his 15 great-grandchildren. Later in life, he began designing & crafting wooden cremation urns. Ray donated much of his artwork to church bazaars and other charity events. In 2019 Mary Lou moved into the CentraCare Care Center and shortly after, Ray moved to Stearns Place. It was the perfect setup, with Ray being able to ride his scooter through the halls to visit his sweetheart. He took great care of her daily, holding her hand and making her feel safe. On his trips through the halls of the Care Center, many residents stopped him for advice or support, which he was happy to provide. The door of his apartment was always open for fellow residents to stop by and visit. Dr. Ray taught interested fellow residents in Stearns Place on topics such as Gratitude, Aging, Mindfulness, and Diabetes. Following Mary Lou's diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Dr. Ray was a champion in bringing the Paynesville and outlying communities together to raise awareness and increase education on Alzheimer's and Dementia. Through sharing his own personal stories, profound medical education, heartaches, and struggles, he was able to relate to others and normalize a disease that has impacted so many families. Dementia Friends Champions worked to train hundreds of people in the Paynesville area, intending to help educate individuals about dementia and how they can make a difference in their community. Dr. Ray and his dedication inspired change in how we approach Alzheimer's, care for those living with it, and support the caregiver(s). His compassion for others and desire to make real change was featured in the Wall Street Journal in 2015. Perhaps what he has become most known for in the past few years has been his response to the typical question, "How are you?" Almost immediately, he would reply "grateful." And he meant it. The outpouring of condolences and support from community members and former patients has been overwhelming. The family is forever grateful for those who cared for him, especially everyone (staff & residents) at Stearns Place, CentraCare Clinic & Hospitals, Care Center & Hospice.Dr. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Connie, his wife of 54 years, Mary Lou, his wife of nearly 20 years, as well as two sisters and one niece. Dr. Ray is survived by children Glen Lindeman of Salem, OR, Paula (John) Monahan of Little Falls, Bruce (Arlene) Lindeman of Paynesville, Marty Olson of Eden Prairie, and Mark (Laura) Lindeman of Paynesville, as well as 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one niece, Janis (Gerry) Leischner of Oklahoma City, OK.