Robert Leroy Lye

Robert Lye, age 97, of Benson, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo.  Visitation will be 10-11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., Monday, May 2, 2022, at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson.  Pastor Zane Anderson will officiate.  Burial will be in West Bank Cemetery.

Robert LeRoy Lye was born May 22, 1924, the youngest of ten children, to Andrew and Ida (Granholt) Lye, of Swenoda Township, Swift County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at West Bank Lutheran Church in West Bank Township. Bob attended District #98 country School near Danvers MN and high school in Benson, MN.

On June 7, 1947, Bob was united in marriage to Dorothy Evelyn Erickson by Rev. H. Nashiem at Swenoda Lutheran Church. He and Dorothy operated the Lye family farm in Swenoda Township and raised their two children there. They moved to Benson, MN in 1984. In 2018, Bob moved to Brookside Senior Living in Montevideo, and in 2019 to Luther Haven Nursing home in Montevideo.

Bob was a member of West Bank Lutheran church from his birth until the church closed in 1995, at which time he and Dorothy became members of Our Redeemers Lutheran Church in Benson. He was a devoted member of both churches. Among the things Bob enjoyed were farming, mechanic work, fishing, playing cards, woodworking, going for drives and traveling to various parts of the country with Dorothy. He also enjoyed his many years of service on the board of directors and adjuster for Kerkhoven and Hayes Mutual Insurance in Kerkhoven, MN. He also served on the Swenoda Township Board.

Bob was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo. He is survived by his children, Rodney (Sandra) Lye of Danvers and Diane (David) Dieter of Montevideo; grandchildren Jenny (Craig) Lingen of Mantador, ND, Molly Field of Montevideo, Jed (Kayla) Lye of Benson, Samuel (Sirocco) Lye of Benson, Thomas (Kelsi) Lye of Danvers; great grandchildren Joshua, Ethan, Ivy, Josie, Briggs , Bennett, Joanna, Sophia and baby Lye due to arrive in September; many nieces and nephews and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents Andrew and Ida; Dorothy, his wife of 69 years; sisters, Agnes in infancy, Anne Lye, Agnes Josephine (Jo) Ohmacht; brothers, Lester in infancy, Bennie, Erling, Jack, Arthur, and Elmer; brothers in law Herbert and Lester Erickson, Walter Ohmacht, Paul Grimm and Burton VanOrt; sisters in law Helen, Clara, Esther and Mildred Lye, Orla Grimm and Ella VanOrt.

Donations are preferred to the West Bank Cemetery Fund.