Lyle Nordquist
1927 – 2018
Lyle D. Nordquist, age 90, of Staples, Minnesota, formerly of Watertown, South Dakota, passed away on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at a care center in Staples.
Memorial services were held in Watertown.
Lyle David Nordquist was born May 26, 1927 in Stockholm, South Dakota to David and Leila (Larson) Nordquist.
Lyle went to a country school from 1934-1941 where all grades 1-8 attended in one room. After school, when he was old enough, he would drive tractor for a farmer weekdays and weekends.
Lyle attended school in Strandburg, South Dakota, grades 9-12 from 1942-1945. After school and on weekends Lyle worked at a gas station.
In 1945 Lyle joined the Army, 52nd Signal Battalion serving in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1947. Following his discharge from the Army, Lyle returned to South Dakota and lived in Watertown.
Lyle got a job at the Chevrolet garage in Watertown as a parts manager and salesman until 1955.
That’s when Lyle met Twyla McRoden. They were married on November 3, 1948 in Watertown. They made their home there and had three children.
Lyle and his family moved to Sebeka in 1955 where Lyle joined his brother Marlyn at the M & H Chevrolet garage. In 1965 Lyle and Twyla bought the Sebeka Dry Cleaners. Lyle joined the postal department as a clerk in 1966. He would run the dry cleaning machines on his days off at the post office.
In 1970 Lyle and his family were in a car accident that left Lyle in a body cast for a few months, so they sold the dry cleaning business.
Lyle was appointed Post Master in Sebeka 1977 and retired in 1987 after 23 years in the postal service.
Lyle was a caregiver to his wife Twyla who lost her battle to breast cancer in 1980.
In 1981 Lyle married Barbara (Humel-Walsh) and they moved to Park Rapids. Lyle commuted from Park Rapids to Sebeka for six years until his retirement.
Lyle was involved in community affairs as Sebeka Village Clerk. He was a member of the Community Development Corporation, board member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sebeka Lions, Post 456 American Legion, Masonic Lodge 1567 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Lyle drove Sebeka school bus for a number of years. He was a member of the Sebeka Fire Department for 20 years. Lyle also delivered milk for Claire Polman part time.
Lyle is preceded in death by his father, David Nathaniel Nordquist, his mother, Leila (Larson) Nordquist, his wife, Twyla (McRoden) Nordquist, his wife, Barbara (Humel Walsh) Nordquist, and one brother, Marilyn Nordquist.
Lyle is survived by one sister, Doris Helbing of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his daughter, Connie Hall of Verndale; his son, Gary Nordquist (Chris Milbradt) of Williston, North Dakota; his daughter, Ann Benson (Gary) of Richfield; a step-son, Russel Walsh (Donna) of Park Rapids; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Brenneman, Heather Calhoun, Michael Brenneman, Lacey McGrane, Melanie Bernhoft, Amber Peluso, Jesse Benson, Amy McGuigan and Nathon Benson; 3 step-grandchildren: Ryan Walsh, Cara Dorman and Gregg Walsh; 12 great-grandchildren: Austin, Hannah, Elise, Madison, Connor, Dominic, Andrew, Camryn, Brigg, Cale, Makayla, Riley and Sienna; six step-great-grandchildren: Madison, Kallista, Courtney and Connor; a sister-in-law, Mary McRoden of Watertown, South Dakota; a sister-in-law, Mary McRoden of Watertown, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
Lyle was a member of the Calvary Lutheran Church Park Rapids.
His residence from November of 2012 until his passing was at the Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.wightandcomes.com.