Florence "Lindy" Louise Lindgren Johansen

Jeremy Anderson2023-01-03T13:32:27-06:00

Name: Florence "Lindy" Louise Johansen (Lindgren)
Location of Birth: Battle Lake, Minnesota
Date of Birth: May 14, 1920
Date of Death: August 6, 2011
Parents: Hjalmer Lindgren & Anna (Barhaug) Lindgren
High School and Class: Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank:
Branch: Navy
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: April 22, 1944
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge: 1952
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - 1944 – “Miss Florence Lindgren, bookkeeper in the local office of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Co., has been accepted by the U.S. Navy and reports for WAVE training early in June. She will be sent to Hunter College, New York City. Miss Lindgren is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Lindgren of Coleraine.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - August 1944 – “Letter from Florence Lindgren to Mrs. Ralph Cratty, secretary of the Service Club: “Milledgeville, Georgia, August 26, 1944, Dear Mrs. Cratty: This is a very belated thank-you letter for The Iron News which I have received so promptly each week. It is wonderful to receive it and read about home; it makes me feel a little closer. The time has gone so fast since I left Coleraine in June. The boot training at Hunter kept us going at a terrific pace, but we all loved it and were really sorry to leave. So many new friends were made while there, from all parts of the country. One girl had just come to the U.S. from Hawaii; had been at Pearl Harbor when we were first attacked. So it wasn’t easy to say goodbye. Now I am at school on the campus of the Georgia State College for Women, and will be here for about seven more weeks. Milledgeville is a lovely town, not very large and the people are very friendly. But it can’t be as nice as home. I haven’t seen a state yet that has the beauty of Minnesota. Naturally, I am prejudiced! I must get back to my studies now. Thank you again for The Iron News; it is the highlight of my week. Sincerely, Florence Lindgren.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - October 1944 – “Miss Florence Lindgren, S 2/c, was home for four days, leaving Sunday for Jacksonville, Fla. to where she was transferred from Milledgeville, Ga. where she was in training at a women’s college. Miss Lindgren, bookkeeper for the Northwestern Bell Telephone company before she enlisted in the WAVE, visited her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Lindgren.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - April 1945 – “A release came to The Iron News office this week from the Public Relations office of the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida stating that Florence Louise Lindgren, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Lindgren, recently passed competitive examinations on that station and advanced from seaman second class to first class. Miss Lindgren is a storekeeper in the supply department at the Naval Air Station. Before she enlisted in the Navy, April 22, 1944, she was an employee of the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for two years.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - October 1945 – “WAVE Florence Lindgren writes her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jalmer Lindgren, that she is stationed at Wold Chamberlain field in Minneapolis, and is working in the separation center in the disbursing section. The separation center at Wold Chamberlain was instituted only a few weeks ago. Florence is a Storekeeper 2nd class.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - February 1946 – “Florence Lindgren SKD 2/c writes: “Coleraine Serviceman’s Home Club: This is a much belated thank you for the very welcome Christmas box. I had hoped to thank you personally while home but, as usual, my visits were so short. This year I had two Christmases, white and cold after last year’s hot holiday in Florida. On Monday of Christmas Eve I got an unexpected 48 hours liberty so I got home, then over New Year’s I had a short special leave. So my second Christmas was the opening of the Serviceman’s box in the barracks. I enjoyed most the photograph album with the wonderful pictures of home. There is nothing quite like our North country. I’m very fortunate to be stationed here, so close to home and I’m taking advantage of it. My work is interesting and more so when someone from Coleraine comes for discharge. Yesterday I saw Paul Whalen, whom I saw also in Jacksonville when he was attending school there. I have seen numerous others who are all happy civilians now. As to when I’ll be one, I don’t know. We, in Separation work, are considered essential, so unless our points are lowered I’ll have quite some time to put in. I enjoy it though; it’s been an invaluable experience. Thank you again for the Christmas box. We Coleraine service people are very fortunate to have your good organization to take care of us. Good luck for the new year, may it see all our boys home soon.”

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Florence Lindgren married Herman W. Johansen in Texas in 1950.

In 1960, the Johansen family, Joe, Lindy, Karen, and Ali, moved to Washington Manor in San Leandro, California.

The love of a good meal with friends and family, the Oakland A's, and her kitty cats made her "Smile Sparkle"!

Florence died in Danville, California after a 16-year battle with Alzheimer's.

Tribal Affiliation(s):