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John Eric Lindholm

MARQUETTE, MI – John Eric Lindholm, age 84, of Marquette, entered eternal life on Saturday, September 11, 2021, in the loving care of his family.

John was born on March 26, 1937, in Marquette to Ellert and Sadie (Akkala) Lindholm. He was raised in Marquette and was a graduate of John D. Pierce School, Class of 1955. Following graduation, he enrolled at Northern Michigan University, receiving his BA in Education in 1959 and later receiving his Masters Degree in Education in 1965. Many times in life, John casually joked how from elementary school through college, he never had to leave the campus. John started his career in education as a teacher in Dearborn Township for six years. On August 21, 1965, John and the former Margaret (Maggie) Wiita, were united in marriage in Calumet, MI, at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. The couple moved to Niles, MI, where John began his work as a Special Education Coordinator. They returned to the Upper Peninsula in 1969 and established their home in Escanaba where John began working for the Delta-Schoolcraft ISD. In 1979, he was named Director of Special Education. In 1993, he received the Beekman Award for Outstanding Special Education Director for the State of Michigan. Upon his retirement in 1999, the couple moved back to Marquette where he worked for twelve years as a supervisor of student teachers for NMU.

In his spare time, he served on the board of Pathways Mental Health and was an active board and choir member of both Messiah Lutheran Church in Marquette and Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. John loved the outdoors and was an avid skier into his late 70s. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and spending time at the camp he and Maggie built on Big Shag Lake. Above all, John’s family and friends were most important to him. He and Maggie cherished every family gathering at camp and at their home.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Maggie; his four children, Jennifer (Scott) Patchin of Holland MI, Britt (David) Campbell of Grand Rapids, MI, Sarah (Jon) Ruuska of Marquette and Charlie (Michele) Lindholm of Rockford, MI; fourteen grandchildren, Ben, Ana, Mia and Aubrey Patchin, Kate, Pete and Ted Campbell, Olivia, Charlie and Hannah Ruuska and Carter, Owen, Gus and Vivienne Lindholm; his sister, Joan (Lou) Myefski of Marquette; his sister-in-law, Kay Honkala of Ishpeming and his brother-in-law, James (Eileen) Wiita of Lake Linden and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Following visitation, funeral services will be held in the church at 2:00 pm with Rev. Molly Eversoll officiating. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held in the reception room at the Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bay Cliff Health Camp, N4175 County Road KCA, P.O. Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808. The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral Home is serving the family where condolences may be left online at www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com.