Walter Lindberg, 74, a Democratic Party worker, former Cook County employee and architect of the ”Great Cookie Caper,” a practical joke that enlivened the 1972 Democratic primary for Cook County state`s attorney, died Sunday in Colonial Manor Nursing Home, La Grange.
Mr. Lindberg, who lived in La Grange Highlands, was chief clerk of the state`s attorney`s office from 1961 through 1972, and was chief of the personal property tax division in the county assessor`s office from 1972 through 1984.
He was a trustee of the La Grange Highlands Sanitary District for 25 years. He was instrumental in getting Chicago water for La Grange Highlands and in getting sidewalks installed, said his daughter, Susan Smith. He was on the board of the La Grange Highlands Civic Association.
Mr. Lindberg pulled off the Great Cookie Caper in 1972 after his boss, State`s Atty. Edward V. Hanrahan, was dumped from the regular Democratic slate and replaced by Judge Raymond K. Berg.
At a luncheon for 1,100 regular Democratic precinct captains and party leaders in the Sherman House hotel, Lindberg placed fortune cookies at each place setting with the message inside saying, ”Hanrahan`s the man.” Even Mayor Richard J. Daley, who had dumped Hanrahan from the slate, reportedly had a hearty laugh over the trick. Hanrahan went on to win the primary, but lost in the 1972 general election.
Survivors, beside his daughter, include his wife, Celeste; another daughter, Karen Riley; a son, Douglas; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister; and a brother.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Marion Hills Bible Church, 142 Plainfield Rd., Darien.
