Ihns, Lyle Keith 1923 - 2012

IHNS, TIBBALS, FOOTE, TIDGWELL, COOK, ROOT, ERMAL, PFREMMER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/19/2016 at 12:38:40

Lyle Keith Ihns passed away at Mesa, Ariz. on Aug. 25, 2012, at the age of 88.
He was the third son and fourth child of Herman Fred John and Daisy Maud Tibbals Ihns, born Dec. 7, 1923, on the family farm north of the bridge in the Old Town of Lime Springs, Iowa. He attended the rural schools in the neighborhood and learned early to appreciate the joys of the outdoors: the Upper Iowa River, fishing and hunting and growing things. He often referred to himself as “The Middle Man,” referring to his place in the family.
Lyle learned to work hard as a small child and as a young man began a career as a truck driver, driving semis for various local agribusinesses. An early marriage, to Bessie Foote, ended in divorce. On May 30, 1957 Lyle was united in marriage to Bonita Tidgwell Cook at her parents’ farm near Elma, Iowa. Five years ago, Boni and Lyle celebrated their golden anniversary surrounded by family and friends at a party hosted by their children at the home of their daughter Lu in Mesa. This year they had celebrated 55 years together, a marriage blessed with two wonderful children, David Ward Ihns and Lulylah Cook Ihns Root, and three beloved grandchildren, Sarah and Kayla Ihns and Riley Root. Lyle’s love for his children and his pride in their many accomplishments was one of the touchstones of his life.
For over 20 years Lyle and Boni made their home in Lime Springs, where they were active in community activities. Lyle was for many years a member of the Lime Springs Fire Department, the Fish and Game Club and was a longtime member of the Lime Springs United Methodist Church. He took great interest in family genealogy, and that interest and his assistance prompted Boni’s efforts in producing the Ihns family history. He also participated in the ‘walking’ of Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs for the book on that cemetery.
In 1979 Lyle and Boni started a new life in retirement in Mesa. In Valle Del Oro Park, Lyle was known by all for his interest in park activities, for his volunteer work and as a reliable friend who would care for units of residents leaving for the summer. His grapefruit tree was unbelievable. The sight of Lyle whizzing around in his golf cart was a familiar one in the park. He and Boni saw much of the United States in their motor home, and he especially enjoyed trips to Great Britain, Mexico and San Francisco taken with brother Clarence and his wife Donna and a trip to Hawaii with Lu’s family. Wherever Lyle lived, he had his little retreat—in garage or shed—where friends were welcomed, projects completed, music enjoyed, good things to eat and drink shared and items that might someday be of use stored.
Lyle enjoyed life and had many interests; after health problems ended his hunting and fishing years he gardened, went camping, developed super cooking and canning skills and continued the Ihns family passion for card games. He was dedicated to recycling long before it became a national concern and continued these efforts until the last few years when a series of strokes and other health problems forced him to enter a care facility.
The ending of his days may have dimmed the sparkle his family and friends had enjoyed for so long, but nothing can take away the happy memories he leaves behind for those who loved him. On Aug. 25, 2012, this good and faithful servant of the Lord left his adopted home in Mesa and went home to God. His last gift was the donation of his body for medical research. His final resting place will be in the family plot in the cemetery in Boni’s hometown of Elma.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Boni; his son, Dave (Pam), and granddaughters, Sarah and Kayla; his daughter Lu (Rex) Root, and grandson Riley, all of the greater Phoenix area. He is also survived by two brothers, Melvin (Phyllis) of Lincoln, Iowa and Joseph Ermal (Ermilee) of Cherry Grove, Minn.; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Ihns of Harmony, Minn. and Donna Ihns of Lime Springs; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Helen and Murn Pfremmer, and by brothers Clarence, Harold and Lloyd.
Edgar Guest must have known someone like Lyle when he wrote his poem, “The Junk Box.”
My father often used to say, “My boy, don’t throw a thing away; You’ll find a use for it someday.”
So in a box he stored up things, Bent nails, old washers, pipes and rings, And bolts and nuts and rusty springs.
Despite each blemish and each flaw, some use for everything he saw. with things material, this was law.
And often when he’d work to do, he searched the junk box through and through, and found old stuff as good as new.
And I have often thought since then, that father did the same with men; he knew he’d need their help again.
It seems to me he understood, that men, as well as iron and wood, may broken be and still be good.
Despite the vices he’d display, he never threw a man away, but kept him for another day.
A human junk box is this earth, and into it we’re tossed at birth, to wait the day we’ll be of worth.
Though bent and twisted, weak of will, and full of flaws and lacking skill, some service each can render still.
Services for Lyle will be held during Memorial Day weekend of 2013; anyone wishing to write to Boni may do so at the home of her daughter Lu, with whom she is now living. Her address: c/o Rex Root, 2147 West Madero Ave., Mesa AZ 85202.

Source: Lime Springs Herald, Aug. 27. 2012

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen