Erma Jean Lindeman

Erma Jean Lindeman, long time resident of El Sobrante, California, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2017. Erma was born on Nov. 16, 1933, to Fred and Jeneiva Pinnick at the family farm in Cusco, Indiana. She spent much of her youth traveling between this farm and Chicago, where her father worked for the Pullman railcar company. These experiences provided many wonderful memories for Erma. Surrounded by her extended family, assisting with farm chores and running around the southern Indiana countryside with her many cousins and young aunts and uncles was an experience that she cherished. It also led to her great love of the out of doors and her favorite pastime of walking the ridgelines of El Sobrante with a succession of dogs and good friends.
Erma met her future husband, Louis Paul Lindeman, at a small church (Bible Church) in Midlothian, Illinois. They were married in June, 1951 when she was 18 years old. Louis and Erma then embarked on the adventure of their lives when Louis was accepted at Harvard University to work on his P.H.D. in Physical Chemistry. The young couple moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and soon after their first child was born, Cynthia Ann. The adventure continued when the young family moved to Richmond, California in 1955 where Lou began working for the Chevron Research Company. While in Richmond the family increased in size to five with the birth of their two sons, Frederick Karl and Paul Charles Lindeman. In 1962 the family took up residence in the town of El Sobrante. The home they moved into was located next to a working cattle ranch and a Chinchilla farm out in the "boonies".
Erma had a lifelong love for theater and art. While in the midst of raising her young family she went back to school and earned BA degree in Art from the College of Holy Names, and then added a Masters degree in Art and Literature. Together Erma and Lou were lifetime members of the Berkeley Repertory Theater, and they traveled the world with an emphasis on visiting art museums and theater companies. Erma was also a doting grandmother. She liked nothing better than spoiling her 9 grandchildren (Ian, Devin, Andie, Dani, Alexie, Peri, Karl, Kacey and Louis) with gifts and special meals, as well as attending the myriad of activities the grand children participated in from swimming to wrestling to gymnastics to music concerts to Eagle Scout courts of honor. Her generous, fun loving spirit will be missed by all, but especially by her family. Erma is survived by her three children, Cynthia (and Mike) Hongola, Fred (and Terri) Lindeman and Paul (and Lara) Lindeman. Her nine grandchildren include Ian (and Stella) Hongola, Devin Hongola, Karl Lindeman, Kacey Lindeman, Louis Lindeman, Andie Lindeman, Dani Lindeman, Alexi Lindeman and Peri Lindeman (Bears), great granddaughter Matilda Hongola, and two sisters Bev Williams and Janet Stofferhan.
Memorial services will be held for Erma on April 7, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church, 3578 Clayton Road, Concord, CA, with a viewing at 10 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. and reception at noon. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send donations to "Sister of the Holy Names" fund (http://snjmca.org).