Rev. Dr. Joe Torbjorn Lindsoe was born July 29, 1929, to Norwegian parents Holder and Gunvald Lindsoe, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. At the age of two, Joe traveled with his mother back to Norway where he enjoyed urban life in Oslo and rural life in Dovre.
In 1939, with war threatening Europe, Joe returned to his father in Arlington, Virginia. He attended Washington-Lee High School; then he received his B.A. degree in Psychology from Lynchburg College. In 1952 he married Dulcie Rosetta Simpson and they moved to Lexington, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor of Divinity and Masters in Christian Education from Lexington Theological Seminary. Later, in 1977, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the same institution.
In 1971, after being widowed, Joe and Betty Keister Roseberry were married. They had nearly 50 years together doing Christian work. Joe served in churches in Richmond, Arlington and Rocky Mountain, Virginia. Then in Adelaide, Australia, where they served in one year minister exchange program. Throughout his “retirement” years, Joe served many churches as an interim (fill-in) minister.
Joe was active in many civic organizations such as Lions Club, Jaycees, Franklin County Mental Health and Franklin County Social Services. As an avid sports participant he was instrumental in organizing the Franklin County Recreation Department. For 55 years, Joe was a competitive tennis player, switching to pickleball after the age of 80. At age 90, he was the oldest competitor in the 2019 State Games of America!
Joe always kept in touch with his relatives in Norway, returning first at age 19 and numerous times throughout his life. Considering himself an only child, he was surprised to learn via a telephone call from Norway in 2000, that he had a half-sister. (Sharing the same mother). That began a loving relationship with Mari Bjerland and her large family. (A book entitled “Found But Not Lost” by Gene Herrick documents this amazing story.)
Joe is survived by his daughter Dulcie Lindsoe-Johansen (Mark), stepdaughter Resa Roseberry Payne (Gary), stepson Greg Roseberry (Vickie), half-sister Mari Bjerland, and sister-in-law Anne Burnett; Grandchildren Elizabeth Stinnett (Brandon), Sharon Roseberry, Benjamin T. Johansen; Great-grandchildren Brooklyn Stinnett.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dulcie Rosetta Simpson Lindsoe, son Eric Joe Lindsoe and wife Betty Keister Lindsoe.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Timberlake Christian Church, Lynchburg, Virginia on May 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial Donations may be made to the Lynchburg Daily Bread, 721 Clay Street, Lynchburg, Va. 24504.