Larry Alan Lindesmith, M.D.

Larry Alan Lindesmith, M.D., 86, of Onalaska, WI, was called to heaven from his home on Thursday, January 16th after a life committed to medicine, service, and family. He was born July 27, 1938 to Imogene (Young) and Lyle Lindesmith. Larry graduated from Englewood High School, Colorado, and earned his B.A. from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1959. He attended Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC and from 1963-1967 completed his residencies in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Chicago and University of Colorado Medical Center. Larry served in the US Army Reserves Medical Corp for ten years; for two years, Major Lindesmith was assistant chief of the Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Service at Madigan General Army Hospital in Tacoma, WA. 

In 1969, Larry was recruited by Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to practice pulmonary medicine and to teach medical residents. He was thankful to find river bluffs after growing up with Colorado mountains. In partnership with Dr. Ed Winga, they established the Critical Care Pulmonary Department. Larry developed the Pulmonary Physiology Laboratory and Blood Gas Laboratories as well as the Sleep Disorders Clinic and Laboratory. Alongside Robert Ustby, MSN, and others, they created the Occupational Health Department in 1978. He served in varied leadership roles, including on the Gundersen Clinic Board of Directors. Larry was a fellow and chairman of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). He dedicated over three decades to Pulmonary and Occupational Medicine until his retirement in 2002. He was employed by John Deere and Logistics Health until 2013, still attending to occupational and lung health. Larry, aka “Doc,” quit smoking in 1973 (yes, as a pulmonologist and an asthmatic), and contributed to a decades-long movement against indoor smoking and secondhand smoke. Larry was continually proud to work with outstanding medical and education professionals, including residents, at Gundersen/Lutheran “who worked together for the best outcome of patients.”

Larry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diane (Bakken) Lindesmith of Onalaska, WI, a constant source of love and support throughout his life. She added a twinkle to his eyes and a spring to his step. Larry and Diane, RN, PNP, met at Gundersen and were married in 1973. They raised three children in a life of faith and service, including a working family trip in 1992 with Medical Clinics on Wheels in Ternopil, Ukraine. Larry also served on school and community boards, including at Luther High School and the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Larry's greatest blessings included his five children and their families, to whom he modeled his love for education, leadership, and service: Robert (Amy) Lindesmith, recently moved from Midland, MI, to Belleville, WI, with Sarah (Adam) Johnson and Erica Lindesmith; three families in the Minneapolis area: Lisa Lindesmith, DVM, (Toni Pangborn); Abigail (Jason) Rombalski, PhD, with Teraysa and Elijah Rombalski; Nathan (Francesca) Lindesmith with Jada, Mahya, Nathan, and Benjamin Lindesmith; and David (Julie) Lindesmith of Daytona Beach, FL with Kayla Funk and Garrett Wasley. His grandchildren loved him. They affectionately recalled how happy Papa was singing, spending time with them, sitting, listening, and talking, patient and wise, contemplating what others were saying: “As a Lindesmith it’s hard for us to sit and listen, but Papa has mastered it.” He never needed much to make him happy. He was true to himself and put all his trust in God, making others around him want to be better in their faith. He was always kind, accepting, and supportive, and he loved to laugh at their shenanigans. 

Larry loved music, photography, and spending time in nature. He was a voracious reader, especially of uncommonly told histories. He cherished his cousins, nieces, and nephew, and traced stories of his ancestry to share with others. He enjoyed brunch meetings with other retired docs, Bible study at his church, and time outdoors in Birchwood, Wisconsin, including guys fishing weekend. We remember Larry for his dedication to life-long learning, medical and working communities, and his philanthropy, service, and leadership in civic and faith life. We admire him for his expertise and actively advocating to improve every sector of his life. Larry was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Kay Minnis, of Colorado.

Larry’s family wishes to thank the Gundersen Wound Center staff, Veterans Affairs, BrightStar Home Care, and Gundersen Hospice, for their kind and compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, January 25 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., Onalaska, Wisconsin. Visitation will precede the funeral from 11am to the time of service. A livestream of the funeral service will be available at https://www.youtube.com/@stpaulsonalaska.

Memorials are preferred and may be sent to: Doctors Without Borders (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/), Gundersen Medical Foundation (https://www.gundersenhealth.org/foundation/ways-to-give), Luther High School Foundation (https://www.lutherhigh.org/advancement/luther-high-foundation), or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (https://www.stpaulsonalaska.org/give).