Lyle Eugene OPHEIM

OPHEIM, RIERSON, LARSON, LEWIS, BAIRD, ELLINGSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/8/2011 at 16:05:56

September 19, 1927 -- June 29, 2001

Lyle Eugene Opheim was born to Bernold and Gladys (Rierson) Opheim on September 19, 1927 at the family farmstead near Bode, Iowa. He graduated from Bode High School,then obtained his B.S. in education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948. On August 21, 1949 he was united in marriage to Nancy Lou Larson at Bode, Iowa. They lived in Joice, Renwick, Titonka, Gruver, Conrad, Coon Rapids, and Sergeant Bluff during his career as a teacher and coach. Lyle passed away on Friday, June 29, 2001 at the Milford Nursing Center at age 73. He was a member of the Iowa State Education Association. Lyle coached at Sergeant Bluff for 15 years. He coached girls volleyball, track, and softball and boys baseball and football. His love for all sports and his caring devotion for his athletes showed in their devotion and desire to participate and win both on and off the field.

He is survived by his wife Nancy of Milford, six children and their spouses, sons Thomas of Milford, Steve (Becky) of Fort Dodge, Gary (Kathy) of Tama, Mark (Katie) of Omaha, NE, and daughters Karen Lewis of Tama, and Angela (Kirk) Baird of Sergeant Bluff. Twenty-one grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Survivors also include his mother Gladys Opheim Ellingson of Clarion, Iowa, and two brothers Roger (June) of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Dennis of Madison, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his father Bernald, daughter Kathy, and two brothers George and Richard.

Funeral services were at Turner Funeral Home in Milford, Iowa, Tuesday, July 3, 2001. Clergy was Rev. Robert Vaage and music was Bob Floss, 'Amazing Grace, The Lords Prayer, and Wind Beneath My Wings'. Pallbearers were Steve, Gary, Mark, Tim, Eric, and Christopher Opheim, and Mike Shultz. Hororary Bearers were Brett and Jason Opheim. Internment was at St Olaf Cemetery, Bode, IA after a short stop in the long lane at the Bode farmstead.