Lyle Elwyn Burns, 76, passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Paula J. Baber
Hospice Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He died peacefully holding his daughter’s hand
and listening to his son’s loving words on the telephone.
Lyle, also known as Elwyn to friends and family, was born on September 4, 1936
to Everett and Darlene (Lowe) Burns. He was raised in Rolfe, Iowa and was a
proud member of the Class of 1955. While in High School, he played football and
was active in F.F.A.; serving as President his senior year. He was awarded the
Iowa Farmer Degree, the highest F.F.A. degree that can be awarded on a state
level. Lyle studied livestock marketing at Morningside College after earning a
scholarship by winning the livestock judging contest held annually at the Sioux
City Stockyards.
In 1962, Lyle married Marion Owens and they were married nearly 30 years prior
to their divorce. They had two children, Kim and Mike.
Lyle was a successful businessman in the agricultural and retail fields. He
began working for AO Smith Harvestore in 1966 and quickly moved up in the
organization. He had more than 20 years’ experience in service and dealer
management and was Operations Manager and part owner of Siouxland Harvestore in
Orange City, Iowa. In 1978, Lyle and his wife became the owners and operators of
the Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Humboldt, Iowa.
Lyle was a selfless provider for his family. He instilled in his children the
value of hard work and self-discipline and always put his needs behind those of
his family. He valued loyalty and honesty above all else and was an exemplary
role model of integrity for his children. Lyle lived an authentic life – he
spoke his mind, he lived by his own standards and not by those of others, he was
a kind and gentle soul. He will always be deeply loved by Kim and Mike who
aspire to live up to his example.
Lyle returned to Rolfe in his retirement and enjoyed cooking, wood-working,
Sudoku and crossword puzzles, working in his yard and spending time with friends
and family. He was a proud grandparent and cherished the opportunity to spend
time with his grandchildren – Dakota, Madison and Josh.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry Burns.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Jack Kempf of St. Joseph,
MO; his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Rita Burns of Bremerton, WA; his
grandchildren, Dakota Carroll, Madison Habeeb and Josh Habeeb of St. Joseph, MO;
and his sister and brother-in-law, Jeniece and Ray Hoopingarner of Rolfe. The
family also wishes to acknowledge his close friends Diana Hawks and family and
Glenn Markley who provided friendship and much appreciated assistance to Lyle as
his health declined.
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