Lyle A. Mayer, 87, Hartley

A funeral service for Lyle A. Mayer was held Thursday, July 21, 2022, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in May City. Pastor Richard Milbrandt officiated.

Pallbearers were Nate Mayer, Jacob Mayer, Chris Lucas, Zach Lucas, Noah Mayer and Sam Mayer. Honorary pallbearers were Shayne Mayer, Shawn Mayer, Jessica Mayer, Megan Sabin and Gretchen Mayer. Military graveside rites were conducted by Melvin American Legion Reed Guthrie Post #470. Burial was in Harrison Township Cemetery at May City. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Lyle Alvin Mayer was born May 14, 1935 in Hartley, the son of Alvin John and Esther (Phillip) Mayer. He was raised on a farm near May City and received his early education through the country school system at Harrison Township School. Following eighth grade graduation, he attended the Hartley Public School in Hartley.

When he was only 14 years old, Lyle was asked to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers as a pitcher. Consequently he was offered a position, but because of his young age he was unable to sign his own contract. Instead he went on to play minor league baseball around the state of Iowa.

Lyle joined the United States Coast Guard in September of 1953, taking his basic training in Cape May, N.J. Over the next four years he was stationed at Fire Island, N.Y., Manitowoc, Wis. and Two Rivers, Wis. Lyle was united in marriage to Audrey Rae Mundt on April 10, 1955. She would join him for the remainder of his tour of duty which ended in 1957. They welcomed Mark, the first of their five children, on Nov. 2, 1956, while Lyle was still serving with the Coast Guard. Following his honorable discharge, Lyle and Audrey made their home on a farm north of Melvin where they added four more children to their family: Michael, Jodene, Mitchell and Matthew.

Lyle thoroughly enjoyed life on the farm. During his ag career he raised hogs, cattle, corn and soybeans. As part of a small tightknit community, he could always be counted on to lend a hand should a neighbor need help with his farming operation.

Over the years Lyle’s free time was spent hunting, golfing, bowling, riding motorcycle, playing ball and coaching Little League. He was also his kids’ biggest fan as he followed them through their school sporting events. His family will forever recall all his humorous quips and phrases they had lovingly referred to as “Lylisms,” such as “Whatever…” or “The first hundred years are the hardest.”

Lyle retired from farming in 2000. He and Audrey moved into their new home in Hartley in 2008 where they have lived ever since.

Lyle passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2022, after a long battle with congestive heart failure. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Audrey, of Hartley; five children: Mark (Shandra) Mayer, of May City; Michael (Leisa) Mayer, of Lake City; Jodene (Kurt) Knoner, of Algona; Mitchell (Whitney) Mayer, of Chicago, Ill.; and Matthew Mayer, of Spirit Lake; grandchildren: Shayne Mayer, Shawn Mayer (Yuyo Benmergui), Nate (Angie) Mayer, Jessica (Aaron) Weber, Jacob Mayer, Chris (Jacky) Lucas, Megan (Mike) Sabin, Zach (Hannah) Lucas, Gretchen Mayer, Noah Mayer and Sam Mayer; eight great-grandchildren; his brother, Roger Mayer, of Haines City, Fla.; and other relatives and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Alvin and Esther Mayer; in-laws, Albert and Leona Mundt; his sister, Fern (Steven) Siebersma; and his dear daughter-in-law, Angie Mayer.