Andrew “Andy” M. Lindbo, 96, Belfield, ND, died peacefully on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at his home in Belfield surrounded by his family. Andy’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Monday, January 28, 2008 at Belfield Lutheran Church with Rev. Roger Dieterle officiating. Interment will follow at the Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a prayer service at 6 p.m.. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service at the church on Monday.

Andy was born on July 6, 1911 on the family homestead near Wallace, SD, the son of Andrew Carl and Helga (Kasian) Lindbo, Sr.. In 1913 the family moved to land nine miles north of Belfield where Andy, one of 16 children, grew up and went to country school. Andy quickly learned farming skills and at age 15 mastered the thrashing machine well enough to go back to South Dakota and work for his uncle. He continued working for various farmers and ranchers near Belfield until 1932 when he leased the Standard Oil Service Station on main street in Belfield providing old fashioned gas station service for nearly 35 years.

Andy married his “Bride” Helen Gunkel on May 25, 1935. After leaving the gas station, Andy went to work for Gold Seal in Medora and among other things helped build the first amphitheater stage. He continued to work in carpentry construction until his retirement.

Andy enjoyed woodworking, hunting and fishing; especially his trout fishing trips to Montana with his “buddies”. Music was one of his favorite pastimes, he played various musical instruments, the fiddle being his favorite. As a very young man and musician he was one of three men who called themselves “The Poison Ivies” and played for many area dances. He continued playing the fiddle into his 90’s.

Growing up in hard times, Andy learned to creatively repair and recycle almost everything used in daily life, nothing was ever thrown away. If he needed a tool for his woodworking, he simply created it using anything on hand. Andy was a hard working family man, helping others whenever needed. His determination and sheer will to live carried him through many health crisis. He was civic minded, having served on the city council and was a volunteer fireman. Andy was a faithful church member with strong Christian values, a wonderful sense of humor, respected by the community, and loved by his family and all who knew him.

Andy will be greatly missed by Helen, his wife of 72 years; their five children, Elliot (Helen), Belfield, Karen (Duane) Davis, Circle Pines, MN, Connie (Roger) Shure, Blue Earth, MN, Rodney (Janet), Belfield, and LaRae Tschetter, Belfield; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; one great, great-grandson; three brothers, Harry (Dorothy), Federal Way, WA, Ole, Anacortes, WA, and Edward (Marian), Waconia, MN; one sister, Clara Jeromechuk, Spokane, WA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and four sisters.