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Cary, Lyle Vernon -- 1917 - 2004

CARY, KELLER, FREY, SAMPSON, ARCHER, SILKE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2012 at 10:53:16

Lyle V. Cary, age 86 of Decorah, died on Saturday, April 17, 2004 at Aase Haugen Home following a short illness.

Funeral Service is on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, IA by Pastor Anita Bane with burial in Phelps Cemetery, Decorah, IA.

Visitation is on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fjelstul Funeral Home with a V.F.W. Auxiliary Service at 6:30 pm, and on Wednesday after 10:00 am at the church.

Lyle Vernon Cary was born April 25, 1917 in Popejoy, IA to Earl Thornton and Elizabeth Belle (Keller) Cary. He graduated from Alden High School in Alden, IA with the class of 1934.

He was united in marriage with Jean Marie Frey on July 17, 1950 in Decorah. To this union four children were born: Lyle Jr., William, Mary and Cindy.

Lyle was a direct descendent of John Cary, a Plymouth pilgrim, who settled in West Bridgewater, MA in 1634, which made Lyle a 10th generation Plymouth pilgrim. Lyle farmed with his uncle, Bill Keller, in the Alden, IA area prior to entering the U.S. Army in 1941. He served during WWII in the Pacific theater with the 380th Construction Company and was honorably discharged in 1946. In October 1942, Lyle’s photograph appeared in the National Geographic Magazine as a part of an interview. When he returned to Decorah from the Army, he apprenticed as a machinist under his brother-in-law, Alvin Sampson, at Sampson Machine Works. In 1948 he purchased the business and renamed it Cary Machine & Welding. Lyle’s son, J.R., joined his father in the business in 1974. It should be noted that Lyle worked side-by-side with his sister, Bernadine Sampson, who owned and operated the Highlife Inn in Decorah for over 50 years.

Lyle was a major contributor to the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum. He donated much of Alvin Sampson’s antique equipment, which will become the centerpiece for a new permanent exhibit at the museum, called “Small Town Enterprise 1850 - 1950.” Because of his generosity Lyle was named a Vesterheim Fellow.

Lyle was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decorah, Decorah VFW, Decorah American Legion, Decorah Elk’s Club and the Iowa Blacksmith & Welding Association. He was a charter and 50-year member at Silvercrest Country Club and a member of Oneota Country Club. Lyle had a cabin on the Mississippi River and liked to go hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed reading, traveling and bowling.

Lyle died Saturday, April 17, 2004 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah at the age of 86 following a short illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Bernadine E. Sampson; and a brother, Dale M. Cary.

He is survived by his wife, Jean M. of Decorah; his children: Lyle V. Jr. (Marybeth) Cary of Decorah, William E. (Yvonne) Cary of Cedar Rapids, Mary E. Cary of LaCrosse, WI, and Cindy J. Cary of Madison, WI; 5 grandchildren: Paul B. Cary, Kristine (Brad) Cary Archer, Ann Cary, Michael Cary and Dustin Cary; his sister, Mary Silke of Alden, IA; and his brother Paul W. Cary of Alden, IA.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen

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