Cari Kimberly Lindstrom

life story

Loving Mother, sister and friend.

"Today is a good day, because I decided so."

A Heart Remembered: Cari's Story

Cari Kimberly Lindstrom, 43, passed away at 6:42 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29th, in Eagan, Minnesota, due to complications of COPD with a severe, progressive type of pneumonia. She also had several chronic health issues that contributed to her decline, including heart disease, liver scarring, and kidney damage.

Cari was born on September 15th, 1974, in Yankton, South Dakota. Early in her life, her mother, Gail, moved to Eagan, Minnesota, where Cari and her three brothers grew up in a townhouse on Easter Lane. Cari’s daughter, Shannon, also lived in that home after her birth in 1996.

As a child, Cari attended Northview Elementary and developed a deep love for horses, a passion that only grew as she got older. When she was around 17, Shannon’s father gifted her a horse whom she lovingly named Rose and had kept at the Diamond T Ranch in Eagan.

Cari attended Eagan High School and worked briefly at Burger King and MGM Wine & Spirits, then New Horizon shortly after. She also had spent some time working as an administrative specialist at her fathers Painting business before holding her longest position as an insurance agent.

Animals, nature and family meant everything to Cari. She was very close to her mother, her brothers, and her best friend, Susie Lee. Susie had been with Cari’s brother, Tim, since they were teenagers so Cari and Susie were practically sisters.

In 1996, at the age of 22, she welcomed her only child, Shannon Marie Lindstrom. During her pregnancy at the age of 21, she also had bottle fed and raised two litters of kittens, putting her heart and all into making sure they were happy and healthy before finding them homes.

Cari worked as an insurance specialist at Herb Monson Agency for 20 years, from 1994 to 2014. She loved her job and took pride in helping clients, often expressing how much she appreciated the people she worked with. She would form close bonds and was always touched when hearing the glowing reviews that clients would share to her boss for her helpfulness and positive attitude.

In 2008, as rent increased, Cari and her mother each moved to separate apartments nearby — Cari and Shannon to Silver Pines Apartments, and Gail to Walnut Trails. Despite living apart, they remained incredibly close, visiting each other often as they were only five minutes away. Sadly, on March 14th, 2014, Cari’s mother, Gail (Wagner) Lindstrom, passed away from lung cancer.

Cari had a lifelong love and dedication for animals, this was not limited to the beloved domesticated ones at home. A handful of times she took on raising abandoned wildlife animals as well, rehabilitating them for release, and teaching her daughter along the way.

In the early 2000s, Cari stood peacefully with others outside local venues, holding picket signs to protest animal cruelty—whether speaking out against mistreatment of circus animals or calling attention to unethical practices at seafood restaurants. She stayed informed about current issues affecting animals and regularly signed petitions in support of their welfare. Cari had a deep, heartfelt compassion for all living things and never hesitated to stand up for those who couldn't speak for themselves.

Cari loved gardening and planting flowers with her mother in their townhouse years. She had a deep connection with nature, loved going on walks daily, and had a special affection for wildlife. She had a passion for art, self expression, poetry, Shakespeare, Arthurian legend, mythology, historical drama films, the Renaissance era, and the stories of kings and queens of England — particularly King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.

Known for her curiosity, open heart, and deep connection to the world around her, Cari found joy and meaning in exploring spiritual traditions such as tarot and Wicca. Her lifelong love for magic, nature, and the mysteries of the universe reflected her belief in the wisdom and wonder woven through everyday life.

In her later years, Cari found joy in arts and crafts, especially jewelry-making. She maintained an incredibly positive outlook on life, often saying, “Today is the best day ever,” and genuinely believing it, even on tough days.

In her most recent years, her main goal and dream was to work at the Como Zoo. Shortly before her passing, she was excited to begin a new job at Walgreens in Eagan, and was also preparing to pursue her GED, a goal she was proud and excited to work toward.

From 2008 until her passing, Cari lived at Silver Pines Apartments, moving from apartment 24 — where she lived with her daughter — to apartment 81 in 2015, where she lived with her boyfriend and roommate, John Joyner (JJ), after Shannon moved out.

Despite many hardships and her struggles with alcoholism, Cari always tried to see the good in others and brighten their day. While her addiction caused some relationships to become distant, Cari’s final years were spent recovering with persistent determination and staying close to those who mattered most: her daughter Shannon, and Cari's companion, JJ. Cari and Shannon shared an especially close bond, speaking on the phone every day, up until the unexpected final hours.

Her favorite music included artists like Alanis Morissette, Jason Mraz, Cat Stevens, Enya, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis, and more modern favorites like Pink and Lorde. She also cherished movie soundtracks.

Cari was a lifelong Disney and Pixar fan. Some of her favorite films included Finding Nemo, Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet, and Brother Bear, often watching them daily. Other beloved movies were Cold Mountain, Practical Magic, The Mists of Avalon, Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Ever After, Napoleon Dynamite, Forrest Gump, As Good as It Gets, War Horse, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Dances with Wolves, Horton Hears a Who, and a childhood favorite of hers, Robin Hood.

Cari will be remembered as a bubbly, kind, friendly, independently strong, outgoing woman who could make a friend wherever she went. She will be forever missed and never forgotten.

She is survived by her daughter, Shannon Lindstrom (Hunter Ropal); her brothers, Timothy Furan (Susie Lee), Theodore Lindstrom (Jenny Wheeler), and Josh Lindstrom; her half-sister, Kimberly; her stepmother, Nancy Newman; her niece, Emmalea Lindstrom; her nephew, Teddy Lindstrom; and several cousins.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Gail Catherine (Wagner) Lindstrom, and her father, David Bennet Grisso Lindstrom.