Blaine Lyle

Blaine Lyle

 

 

Blaine A. Lyle, 87, of West Union died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.

The family welcomes mourners to his memorial on Tuesday, Dec. 26, at 10 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. at Wadena Community Church, 301 S Mill St., Wadena.

Blaine Austin Lyle was born Nov. 20, 1930, to Benjamin and Grace Lyle in Ulysses, Kan. As a child his family moved many times, finally settling in Kittitas, Wash. 

In high school, he excelled in basketball, baseball, football, and track. He graduated from Kittitas High School in 1948.

In 1950, Blaine enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years during the Korean Conflict. As part of his tour of duty, he was stationed in Labrador as a radar technician.

After his service in the Air Force, Blaine entered engineering school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. 

While attending the university, he met his future wife, Connie. They married on Oct. 26, 1956.

Blaine began working in construction in Jackson, Mich., where he oversaw the construction of Jackson Community College (JCC), eventually becoming the campus facilities manager. He became vice president of Finance and Facilities in 1980. After 17 years at JCC, he moved to Wyoming, where he served as Director of Facilities at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne until his retirement in 1991.

Blaine always enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Blaine was lovingly referred to as “Dado” by his grandchildren.

When asked what his greatest accomplishment was, Blaine always responded, “Being blessed with such a wonderful family.”

Blaine and his wife, Connie, recently celebrated 61 years of loving marriage on Oct. 26, 2017.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, of West Union; four children, Kim (Mark) Boyack of Mesa, Colo.; Kevin (Julia) Lyle and grandson Hunter of Williamston, Mich.; Colleen (Brian) Bucks and grandchildren Alison, Ezekiel, and Abigail of Mitchell, Neb.; and Kathleen (Jim) Davis of West Union, grandson Ben (Betty) Davis and great-grandchildren Ellie and Raylan of Clermont, Iowa, and grandson Braeden (fiancée Julie) Davis of Indianapolis, Ind.

Blaine has three surviving siblings, Benita Helseth of Everett, Wash., Duane (Shirley) Lyle of Madison, Ind., and Boyd (Pam) Lyle of Bend, Ore.

Contributions in his memory may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) or The Nature Conservancy (nature.org).  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a tree in Blaine’s memory.    51u51

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