Lyle Roy Uecker

He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Annandale MN, and grew up known as “Whoopie” with siblings: LaVonne, Glenna, Lorna, George and Grace. Growing up, he learned the hard work ethic required by the family farm, and graduated from Kimball High School in 1965. After a bus tour of the United States, which he’d embarked upon on his own, was cut short by the US draft board, he joined the USAF and served in Vietnam repairing cameras on reconnaissance aircraft.

In 1966, Lyle met and married Beverly Sohn of Denver, CO, while stationed at Lowry Air Force Base and they birthed a son, Bradley James in 1969. The couple took up residence in AZ, MN and then in CO, where they ran a camp for Messiah Lutheran Church in Indian Hills CO, hosting retreats and bible studies for teenagers. Lyle attended business school, and began work doing books for the Leo Payne car dealership. The couple then bought their first house, moving back to Denver where Lyle supported his wife in operating a daycare business, watching as many as 13 toddlers every day. At this point, Lyle enjoyed square dancing, skiing, and spending time with his family. It wasn’t long before Lyle gave up the “desk job,” realizing that he would rather work with his hands, and moved his family to Casper, WY where he was hired to work for Getty Petrotomics, milling uranium. This job suited Lyle well, and afforded Lyle and Bev the chance to travel, taking on a new joint hobby pursuing their rich heritage. They spent a few summers researching the family genealogy; creating several reunions and spending many an hour on the road doing something Lyle loved most…taking road trips! The couple adopted a young boy, Robert who would become brother to Brad and take Lyle’s middle name, Roy, and he then found himself selling and installing truck tires at various Casper retailers as he put his two boys through high school. At this point, Lyle enjoyed hunting antelope on the WY plains, wearing his Stetson cowboy hat, and of course watching football. Life progressed in Casper until Bev became ill. Lyle remained a loyal and loving husband until his wife’s death in 2005. After a period of mourning, Lyle met and married Jackie Balmer in 2008 and moved his new wife back home to St. Cloud. The couple created a home together as Lyle continued to work in the tire industry, and enjoyed touring the countryside together on their motorcycle. Upon the death of Lyle’s mother, he was ready to be near his boys again, and moved Jackie back to Denver in 2013. Lyle then began working for O’Reilly Auto Parts, and quickly became a staff favorite at the distribution center, awarded for employee of the month as well as winning employee of the year.

A huge fan of the Vikings, the Broncos, the Twins and the Rockies, Lyle loved sports of all sorts and most enjoyed attending games at local stadiums. He loved music and wasn’t shy to sing along to his favorite songs. He always had a new joke to share, loved his beer and his family, was an honest, loyal and humble man who lived life to the fullest and always maintained a positive outlook in life. Lyle died peacefully in his sleep from complications due to cancer early in the morning of May 12, 2020 in his home in Green Valley Ranch, Denver, CO.

Lyle is survived by his wife Jackie, his sons Brad and Robert, his step-daughters Kristin and Shannon, his grandchildren Annistasia, Ashley, Desiree, Autumn, and Robert, his older sisters Glenna and Lorna, his older brother George, and younger sister Grace, A military memorial service will be scheduled for Lyle at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheatridge, CO when the COVID pandemic allows for it.