Obituary: Lyle Ronald Amundson

Oct. 24, 1939 ~ March 18, 2024

Lyle Ronald Amundson, age 84, of Baileys Harbor, died unexpectedly on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Aurora BayCare in Green Bay.

He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on Oct. 24, 1939, to the late Lyle and Doris (Beeman) Amundson.

Lyle graduated from Union-Whitten Community School in 1958. After high school, he briefly attended college before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado. In 1962, he married Diane Long, and they had two children, Lyle Ross and Michael Hughes Amundson. In 1984, Lyle was married to Vicki Bukaskas Smock in Iowa City, Iowa.

With technology skills gained in the Air Force, Lyle was hired by IBM, working in St. Louis, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee. He then worked for a division of Westinghouse in Iowa City, Iowa, where he managed operations and various business units.  His career then took him to La Crosse, Wisconsin, Lawrence, Kansas, and Dunn Loring, Virginia.

Lyle and Vicki retired to Door County in September 2003. Lyle enjoyed spending time with all his family, especially his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in Boston. He was a loyal friend to many and loved helping friends and strangers alike.

Lyle was very athletic and excelled at many sports including snow skiing, racquetball, tennis and golf.  In retirement he was highly competitive in the first organized pickleball group in northern Door County. He loved singing with various groups, including The Peninsula Chamber Singers, The New Day Singers, and the Shepherd of the Bay Church Choir. He treasured memories of singing at Carnegie Hall and Luther College. He liked to explore new hobbies and in recent years took piano lessons and became an avid baker. He became well known for his dessert breads and key lime pie.  

The Amundson family would like to thank the first responders: Eric Peil, Angie Peil, and Adam Multer with the Baileys Harbor Fire Department EMR’s. Also, Door County Ambulance, Eagle 3 Helicopter Transport, and the staff at Aurora BayCare Emergency Room for their wonderful and compassionate care, as well as the Rev. James Honig for his pastoral care during this time.

Lyle is survived by his wife Vicki; a son, Michael (Kalea) Amundson; granddaughters, Olivia and Evelyn Amundson; brother, Bill (Pat) Amundson; brother-in-law, Dwayne Cakerice; and sister-in-law, Mary Jo Tynes. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Lyle Ross Amundson; parents, Lyle and Doris; sister, Sandra Cakerice; and brother-in-law, AC Tynes.

A memorial service for Lyle will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 11 am at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church (11836 WI-42, Ellison Bay), with Rev. James Honig officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Good Samaritan Fund at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. A celebration of life will take place in Iowa at a later date, with burial including Military Rights to take place at Benson Cemetery in Grundy County, Iowa.

Expressions of sympathy and memories of Lyle may be shared with his family through his tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com.