SEVERE, Lyle Edward 1923 - 2014

SEVERE, SMITH, INGRAHAM, HAGE, LOU, NELSON

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 12/31/2017 at 12:30:12

Lyle E. Severe, 91, of Rockwell, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, at Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba, Mich., where he had lived for the last three years to be near his daughter.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Rockwell United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Scherb presiding.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. until the service at the church. Interment will be in the Rockwell Cemetery.

Lyle Edward Severe was born at Feb. 13, 1923., to Cassius and Blanche (Smith) Severe. He moved with his parents to a farm near Reliance. When his two sisters were old enough, he drove the three of them to school by horse and buggy. After he graduated from the eighth grade, Lyle and his older brother moved to work on their grandparents' (Ed and Carrie Smith) farm near Rockwell. During this stay, Lyle became good friends with the neighbors, Ronald and Velma Ingraham; they spent many winter nights’ playing cards.

In 1940, Lyle returned to South Dakota and worked in a factory at Chamberlain for a few years. A budding romance brought him back to Rockwell where he bought a truck to haul grain and livestock. On Oct. 27, 1944, Lyle and Velma Ingraham were united in marriage in Des Moines. They spent their entire 64 years together at their home in Rockwell. They were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Jane.

Lyle farmed and continued his trucking business until 1965. At that time, he was employed by Ruan Transport. He drove for them until retiring in 1986 when he received a plaque for one million miles of safe driving. He enjoyed his time as union steward and made several trips to the head office in Des Moines to negotiate matters on a man-to-man basis.

During retirement, Lyle raised a large garden, sharing the produce with friends and neighbors. One year he won Rockwell’s outdoor Christmas lighting contest, and Halloween brought out more decorative efforts. The Congregational Church and a few elderly ladies were thankful for his free lawn-mowing service. Velma and Lyle enjoyed being snowbirds, spending winter months in Texas and California, but mostly in Mesa, Arizona.

Lyle was preceded in death by his wife in 2009 and one sister and two brothers. He is survived by his daughters: Linda (James) Hage, Escanaba, Mich., and Jane Lou, Libertyville, Ill.; grandchildren Michele and David Lou; and one sister, Eileen Nelson of Paulatin, Ore.

Retz Funeral Home, www.retzfh.com.