We are pleased to name Gordon Lindgren of Neptune #35 as our 2007 Viking Of The Year!
Gordon is a 56 year Member of Neptun Lodge #35 in St. Charles, Illinois. He became a member on October 3rd of 1950 and has held several positions in the lodge. He has been Chief, Recording Secretary, 20 years and Financial Secretary/Treasurer for the past 15 years and is till serving in that position in the lodge. He also served as Membership Chairman in years past.

Gordon organized and managed the combined Fox Valley District Lodge Installation Dinner which was held for 25 years and, the Fox Valley District summer picnic for several years. He also served as Convention Chairman of the 1995 Viking Convention held in St. Charles.

At the Grand Lodge level, Gordon served on the Executive Council for 18 years, and progressed from Grand Secretary to Vice Grand Chief and was ultimately elected as the Grand Chief and served as such from 1995 to 1997. He currently serves as Runristninger (secretary/treasurer) of the Past Grand Chief’s Club.

Gordon was born on July 26, 1933 in Geneva, Illinois.  He was one of three children of Carl and Ruth Lindgren.  His father was born in Tidaholm, Sweden, and came to the United States in 1911. His mother was born of Swedish parents who came from Sweden before the turn of the century. His parents were both Viking Members and got him started in the Vikings. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1951, and after service in the U.S. Army, graduated form Elgin Community College and attended Northern Illinois University. He retired in 1996 after 30 years of employment at Lyon Metal Products in Aurora, Illinois,
where he worked as a Cost and Wage Accountant and in Inventory Control. Since retiring he has worked part-time delivering flowers for a local flower shop. Gordon’s family is truly a Viking Family. He is the father of three sons, two are Viking Members, and has three Grandchildren, two of whom are also Junior Viking Members. His wife of 33 years, Nancy, is Recording Secretary in Neptun Lodge, and also served for 4 year as a member of the Executive Council of the Vikings. 

Gordon’s hobbies are golfing, model railroading and woodworking. Besides his part-time job, he golfs 2 days a week in season, and works at his hobbies. You might find him assisting in shuttling grandchildren to school or cheering in the stands at one of his granddaughter’s volleyball games. Or from late spring to early fall, you might find him making the rounds at a herring breakfast chatting with fellow Viking members and friends. He is also active in his homeowners association, serving as Chairman of their Christmas Party. 

Gordon is a tireless supporter and promoter of the Vikings
and has been there whenever needed for both his immediate family and his extended Viking family. This demonstrates Gordon’s true Viking Spirit and certainly makes him deserving to be honored as the 2007 Viking of the Year.

(This article has been written by his son David Lindgren who nominated him as the Viking Of The Year)