Funeral services for Lyle F. Ward, 92, of Estherville, will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, March 13, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Estherville with Pastor Kevin Moore officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at New Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone, Minn., with military honors by VFW Post #3388 and American Legion Post #91. He died on March 1, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Estherville under Hospice Care.
Visitation will be one hour prior to service time at the church.
Lyle F. Ward, the son of Finis and Florence (Heindenreich) Ward, was born on August 20, 1930, in Huron, South Dakota.
Lyle grew up in Pipestone, Minnesota. While in high school he joined the National Guard, and after graduation in 1948, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Lyle was proud to serve his country. As a veteran, he was able to take an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2016.
On November 20, 1953, Lyle was united in marriage to Marian M. Houselog at the United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to San Bernardino, California, where Lyle worked as a roofer, meat cutter, and owned a gas station with his brother. While in California, they were blessed with four children. In 1962 the family moved back to the family farm east of Pipestone where Lyle farmed with his dad. In 1980, Lyle and Marian moved to Willmar, Minnesota. Lyle worked as a long haul truck driver. In May of 1991 the couple moved to an acreage south of Estherville. Lyle wasn’t ready to retire, so he continued to drive semi for a year, worked at the Superior Elevator, and until his mid eighties helped local farmer Doug Evans.
Lyle enjoyed camping trips with his family, fishing, and wintering in Texas. He loved playing pool, cards, dominoes, and most of all spending time with his family.
He will be lovingly missed by his children, Rick (Deb) Ward, Luverne, MN, Peggy Rodriguez, Brooklyn Center, MN, Dan (Michele) Ward, Willmar, MN, and Kelly (Angie) Ward, Estherville, IA, fourteen grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings, and two great-granddaughters.
Online condolences may be left for Lyle’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com.
