Lyle E. Dehning, 91, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away on May 5, 2024. He was born June 26, 1932, on a farm in Deuel County, Nebraska. Lyle attended country school, graduating from Big Springs Rural High School in 1949. He played football at Big Springs High School, winning a state championship and being named honorable mention all-state at 135 pounds. He went to Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, on a football scholarship at the age of 17. He met his future bride, Beverly, in 1950, and they were married in 1957 in Sidney, Nebraska.
Lyle was a pillar of the community in Longmont, Colorado, where he moved to open a Texaco Station at the corner of 2nd and Main in 1957. He was active in Lion’s Club, Jaycees, where he served as President, and was a founding member of Westview Presbyterian Church.
One of Lyle’s only regrets in life was squandering the opportunity he had at Doane College to get his degree, but he did eventually earn his bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of Colorado in 1961 before going to work for the “Big 8” accounting firm Arthur Anderson. After one year at Arthur Anderson, he started working as a staff accountant at CU. One day, the department received a phone call asking if anyone would like to teach an introductory accounting class at Metropolitan State College in Denver. Lyle jumped at the opportunity and after earning his master's degree in accounting, became a full-time accounting professor at Metro for 33 years. He also maintained a private accounting practice in Longmont and was still practicing when he passed.
Lyle's passions were his family and travel. He visited all 50 states and more than 50 countries. For many years, he planned international trips for large groups of friends. Many summers were spent crisscrossing the country in a station wagon, with his three boys in the back playing cards.
Although well-known for teaching full-time at Metro while having a large accounting practice in Longmont, he always found time for his family. Whether coaching youth baseball, volunteering in scouts, or playing football with his sons, they always came first. One of the great traditions in the family was Saturday morning garage sales, followed by free donut holes at First Bank.
He almost never missed one of his son’s events, from the Boy Scout pinewood derby, to tennis matches, to varsity basketball games, and even to intramural football games at CU. His passion for his family didn’t let up when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. A great example of his devotion to his family is when Lyle, Craig, and Lance drove 30 hours non-stop from Longmont to Durham, NH, to help Bruce’s family remodel their new home.
Lyle was always organizing family activities such as ski trips to Winter Park, picnicking in the South St. Vrain canyon, weekend trips to visit grandparents in Nebraska, going to the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo, and so many more.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Eddie Dehning, and his siblings, Mervin, Lavern, Delmar, Marion, Orval, and Eileen. Lyle is survived by his wife Beverly; his three sons, Craig (Kerry), Bruce, and Lance; seven grandchildren, Christina (Jarred), Matthew, Katerina (Jesse), Michaela, Malaysia (Marcus), Savana, Oakley; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Kayleigh, Brianna, Mylah, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service has been scheduled at Westview Presbyterian Church, 1500 Hover St, Longmont, CO on Monday, May 27 at 1:30 p.m. and via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172736724?pwd=SVcxOUhEWDdPSmxTMHp4RHpBVTN5UT09. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Highlands Presbyterian Church Camp located at Highlands Center, 1306 State Highway 7 Bus, Allenspark, CO 80510
Rest in peace, Lyle. You will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved you.
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