Barbara Brown Lindwall

Barbara Lindwall (nee Brown) formerly of Madison, WI passed away peacefully the afternoon of May 14, 2023 (Mother’s Day) at the age of 82. She spent her final days at the Elder Care Cottages in Waterford, WI surrounded by her loved ones. 

Barb was born on April 13, 1941 in Manitowoc, WI to Louise and Robert Brown. She grew up an only child until her middle school years when her parents fostered a young lady named Mary Jacobson. Mary soon became another daughter and Barb’s forever sister.  Barb attended Lincoln High School in Manitowoc where she met the love of her life, Jon Lindwall. She attended the University of Wisconsin and married Jon in 1961.

As newlyweds, Barb and Jon moved to New Jersey for a short time before returning to Janesville, Wisconsin where they celebrated the birth of their son, Todd, in 1966. After a short return to Manitowoc, they landed in Madison on South Hill Drive, where they stayed for many years. In 1972, their adopted daughter, Lisa, was born and joyfully welcomed into the family.  

Barb was the ultimate stay-at-home mom, raising two amazing children, supporting and loving them every step of the way.  She loved watching the kids compete in sports, whether it be basketball, cross-country or track.  The neighbor kids affectionately thought of her as “Mom L”. She adored the Green Bay Packers and the Wisconsin Badgers, attending many games over the years. Barb had a way of making people feel welcome, loved entertaining, and knew how to throw a party!

In her golden years, Barb and Jon spent their summers in the Wisconsin Dells and their winters on Anna Maria Island, FL. They loved to welcome family and friends to visit Putzy’s Palace and Putzy’s Palace South. Barb was an avid volunteer with The Henry Vilas Zoo, The Ronald McDonald House and Meals on Wheels.  She always had a little cardboard Ronald McDonald’s house to recycle all her soda tabs! To her grandkids, Barb was “Bomi” and she loved to spoil them when they visited, and supported them through dance recitals and basketball games, but most importantly shared her love of the great Neil Diamond. 

Barb was always there to offer a helping hand and was a favorite person to many, including a lot of her caregivers. She was a fun loving, kind, goofy, selfless human. She had the honor of loving Jon for 59 years of marriage. Barb’s smile could turn a bad day into the best day. Her laugh would lift your spirits and fill you with lasting joy. 

Barb was preceded in death by her mother, Louise, her father, Robert, her husband, Jon, her daughter, Lisa Lindwall-Sanger, and her foster sister, Mary Jacobson. She is survived by her son Todd Lindwall (Julie), grandchildren Krista, Colin, son-in-law Dan Sanger, grandchildren Matt, Katie, Finn and great grandchild, Leo.  

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held on May 25th, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison with a visitation at 1pm and a celebration of life at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin in Barb’s memory. A special thank you to the angels at Badger Hospice for making her final days comfortable.