Doyle Lindahl, 82, Austin

Published 9:30 am Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Doyle Dean Lindahl, 82, of Austin, died Sunday morning, Sept. 15, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin. He was born March 15, 1931, in Carroll County, Iowa, to Barney and Fern (Cuthbertson) Lindahl. After graduating from Glidden High School in Glidden, Iowa, Doyle served his country in the U.S. Army (Korean conflict) for two terms, achieving the rank of sergeant. Following his discharge, he worked in sales for Gamble-Robinson, and also worked for Hormel Foods Corporation and as a deputy sheriff in Mower County from 1955 to 1963. From 1963 to 1967, Mr. Lindahl served as Mower County Sheriff. He then owned and operated the Alcove Supper Club in Austin, before working as a draftsman for Nordaas-American Homes in Minnesota Lake and for Walters Building Co. On Sept. 14, 1952, Doyle married Bernice Weber in Austin. The couple later divorced. On Nov. 24, 1975, Doyle and Linda Hansen were united in marriage in Mason City. Doyle and Linda did foster care from 1984 to 2013. A member of the VFW and a commander of the American Legion Post 91 from 2005 to 2006, Doyle started the Minnesota Sheriff’s Boys’ Ranch in Austin in 1963. This was the second boys’ ranch operating in the United States. He believed in using common sense to treat criminals as human beings. He enjoyed playing cards, league bowling, golf, and he especially loved helping troubled youth. He loved to dance and taught dance lessons. He also owned and operated the “Born Free” boys’ group home for troubled youth in Dexter.

Doyle Lindahl

Survivors include his wife, Linda Lindahl of Austin; his children, Lynda (John) Mikkelson of Cresco, Iowa, Deborah (Richard) Thorson of Alden, Behren ‘Bucky’ Lindahl and Pamela Lindahl, both of Austin; eight grandchildren, Chad (Heather) Foster, Stephanie (Troy) Scholbrock, Todd (Amanda) Foster, Stacey (Brad) Losee, Troy (Christine Holtz) Thorson, Tiffany (Mitchell) Swanson, Shane Thorson, Derek (Nicole) Thorson; 17 great-grandchildren; step-children, Robin (Dale) Drees of Appleton, Wis., Kelly (Doug) Mehus and Kim (David) Flugum, both of Austin; five step-grandchildren; a foster son for more than 30 years, Justin Radermacher; siblings, Beverly Staples of Brownsdale, Larry (Geri) Lindahl of Greenfield, Mo., and Sharon (James) Ginn of Lake Mary, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Barney and Fern Lindahl; two brothers, Byrdale and Gayle Lindahl; one sister, Pamela Bargen; sister-in-law, Em ‘Sis’ Lindahl; and foster daughter, Barbara Michele Thompson.

Memorial services will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Kevin Gunion officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Hayward Cemetery, with military honors by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. Memorials are preferred to the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.