Lyle Vernon CARY

CARY, KELLER, FREY, SAMPSON, SILKE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/4/2016 at 00:33:05

April 25, 1917 ---- April 17, 2004

Lyle Cary died Saturday, April 17, 2004 at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah at the age of 86 fol-lowing a short illness. Funeral service was Wednesday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Anita Bane officiating. Organist was Rev. Kristen Kvamme, and congregational hymns were "Fairest Lord Jesus," "On Eagle's Wings" and "Amazing Grace."

Casketbearers were Marc Nichols, Paul Nichols, Robert D. Usgaard, Dean Frana, Richard Helgeson and Kevin Hovey. Honorary Casketbearers were Dustin Cary, Michael Cary, Ann Cary, Paul Cary and Kristine Cary Archer.

Interment was in Phelps Cemetery with full military honors by Helof-Holm V.F.W. Post No. 1977, Bernatz-Symonds American Legion Post No. 163 and D.A.V. Hamre-Giesen Chapter No. 8. Fjelstul Funeral Home, Deco-rah, handled arrangements.

Lyle Vernon Cary was born April 25, 1917 in Popejoy, Iowa to Earl Thornton and Elizabeth Belle (Keller) Cary. He graduated from Alden High School in Alden, Iowa 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 Cary was a direct descendant of John Cary, a Plymouth pilgrim, who settled in West Bridgewater, Mass., in 1634, which made Lyle Cary a 10th generation Plymouth pilgrim. He farmed with his uncle, Bill Keller, in the Alden, Iowa 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 Oct. 1942, his 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. His son, J.R., joined his father in the business in 1974. It should be noted that Lyle Cary worked side-by-side with his sister, Bernadine Sampson, who owned and operated the Highlife Inn in Decorah for over 50 years.

Lyle Cary 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, he was named a Vesterheim Fellow.

Lyle Cary 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. He had a cabin on the Mississippi River and liked to go hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed reading, traveling and bowling.

He is survived by his wife, Jean M. Cary of Decorah; his children: Lyle V. Jr. (Marybeth) Cary of Decorah, William E. (Yvonne) Cary of Cedar Rapids, Mary E. Cary of La Crosse, Wis., and Cindy J. Cary of Madison, Wis.; five grandchildren; his sister, Mary Silke of Alden and his brother Paul W. Cary of Alden. Lyle Cary was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Bernadine E. Sampson; and a brother, Dale M. Cary.