Kris K.C. Lindgren was born December 11, 1958, in Trinidad, to Axel and Bonnie Lindgren. To his friends and family, he was always known as KC. He passed peacefully at his home in McKinleyville on Thursday evening, November 14, 2024, at the age of 65.

KC was a documented lineal descendant of the Tsurai Village and member of Yurok Tribe. KC was one of six children born to Axel and Bonnie, and was lucky enough to have been able to be raised within the Tsurai Village boundaries. He and his siblings learned how to fish, gather mussels, clam and eat all the same traditional foods his ancestors had that came before him. Though, at the time, it was just a part of life and something fun to do while playing at the beach.

From spring to fall, the Lindgren boys all played baseball and KC wasn’t any different. Their Dad, Axel coached little league, which meant they had a house full of boys most of the year, their own and everyone else’s. Their Mom was gifted in her ability to keep them all fed. KC made a lot of friends this way.

As a young man, KC ocean fished with his brothers near Flat Iron Rock, Seal Rock, Egg Point on up to Patrick’s Point. They would then bring their catch back to their Mom and Dad’s house to clean and prepare. Their Dad always had the smoke house ready and his own special recipe for smoking salmon that was about as tasty as you could get. The brothers also gill netted salmon at the mouth of the Klamath.

KC attended Trinidad Elementary School, then McKinleyville High School where he graduated. During his senior year boxing was popular in Humboldt County. KC spent time boxing from about 1976-1977 with the Eureka Boys Club, training under Gene Campbell and sharing a gym with the Albers brothers and other young Yurok and non-Yurok men testing their speed, strength and endurance through the popular sport. KC, Gary Albers, Mike Dale, Rod Lewis and Lee were runners-up for the Golden Gloves in Albany, Oregon. KC won the first two bouts but was disqualified in the third after it was ruled his hair was too long. His coach, Gene Campbell was quoted in the paper as saying “I couldn’t believe it!” when asked about the disqualification. In another article KC was interviewed about boxing in general and his love of working out and staying fit. He said, “Boxing is the only sport where you can beat the hell out of each other and still be friends afterward.”

After high school, KC went to work in construction and became a cement mason. He helped build many homes, and commercial buildings around Humboldt County such as the Health Sport in Myrtletown. He also helped, along with his brothers Lindy “Hoss” Lindgren and Axel “Tootie” Lindgren, in the construction of the demonstrational Yurok village at Sumeg. Building and carving were a love of his that were nurtured by his Dad, who he helped build traditional Yurok redwood dugout canoes with. He also learned the art and skill of making redwood fans from his Grandpa Axel Lindgren Sr.

After his father’s passing in 1999, KC took on the role of board member of the Tsurai Ancestral Society to help continue the legacy his Dad had started. The Tsurai Ancestral Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Tsurai Village. It was started in the early 80’s by Axel Lindgren II and continues today. KC carried this role as well as the role of caretaker and devoted family man.

KC met and fell in love with Anna Giuntoli. The two married in 1995 and had their only child, Emily, later that year. As parents, they were so proud of their daughter. Her photos and drawings frequently covered the refrigerator at KC’s parents’ house. After many happy years together, tragedy struck when Anna developed cancer. She fought hard, with KC by her side until the cancer took her in 2014 after 19 years of marriage. KC never remarried and instead continued to care for their daughter, and then took on the role of taking care of his Mom, Bonnie until her passing in 2020. He brought her food, picked her up and dropped her off each day at his brother “Tootie’s” and made sure she was okay when she was home.

During the time he was working and taking care of everyone else, he quietly was dealing with his own health issues. Due to an illness in childhood, he developed a heart condition as an older adult. He received treatment but it wasn’t enough to sustain him long term.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Axel Lindgren Sr and Georgia Lindgren, parents, Axel Lindgren Jr. and Bonnie Lindgren, wife Anna Lindgren, sister-in-law Peggy Lindgren, Uncles William Lindgren, Glen Lindgren and Charles Lindgren, Hank Hughes, Fred Vanni, Aunts Louisa (Lindgren) Little, Frances (Lindgren) Meickle, Estella (Lindgren) Fredrikson, Georgia (Lindgren) Fullwider, Dixie (Lindgren) Benedict, Virginia Hughes, and Sally Vanni.

KC is survived by his daughter, Emily Armstrong (Matt), and his 3 grandchildren Briella, Jacob and Thomas Armstrong. His Brothers and sisters Axel “Tootie” Lindgren III, Paris “Joe” Lindgren (Cindy), Lindy “Hoss” Lindgren (Lynn), Kelly Lindgren (Ralph) and Connie Lindgren (Mike). Aunts Wilda Gallacci, Roberta Lindgren, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins to numerous to name.

Per KC’s request there will be no service.