Lyle Sanford Amonson

Lyle Sanford Amonson, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2020, at Rotary Senior Living Center in Eagle Grove, Iowa.  He was born July 19, 1929, in Eagle Grove, Iowa, to Omer and Bernice (Johnson) Amonson.

Lyle was a lifetime member, baptized and confirmed, in the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church.  He graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1947. While in high school, he participated in wrestling.  After graduating, he and some friends enlisted in the military.  Lyle served his country in the Army for two years at Fort Leonardwood.  Lyle’s sister, Bernadine, worked with Gwen Yarger at the telephone office.  She introduced Gwen to Lyle at a dance at the Surf Ballroom; Gwen remembers Lyle looking very handsome in his Army uniform.  They were married on July 9, 1950, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  Lyle served on the board for Rotary Senior Living for many years and was awarded the high honor of the Paul Harris Fellow Award.  

Lyle worked for Ringstorf Chevrolet as a parts man and later worked for Roy Larson at the Mobil Oil Service Station; he later purchased the business from Roy Larson, and it was renamed Lyle’s Mobil Service.  Lyle was approached by the American Motors/Rambler Corporation to become a dealer for them in 1959.  Lyle operated at the location at 118 N. Commercial until 1963 when he moved the business to 1000 S. Commercial where it is still located today.  In 1983, Lyle purchased the Ford dealership from Cornell Deeny.   Lyle was joined by two of his sons, Kyle and Kerry, in the business.  He devoted much of his time to selling, servicing and towing vehicles.  Lyle passes on a legacy that a handshake, friendly smile, hard work, love with a special woman and prayers of a faithful man build a successful life.  

Lyle is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn, daughter, Athlyn (Jeff) Black, sons, Kyle (Diane), Kelly (Melody) and Kirby, 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son Kerry, daughter-in-law Maria, brothers Oren and Richard, and sisters Bernadine and Marlene.  Lyle’s sister Jean passed away a week after him on December 14, 2020.

A Celebration of Life for Lyle will be held on Friday, June 25, at 2:00 pm. at the Eagle Grove United Methodist Church followed by Visitation/Breaktime afterward in the Fellowship Hall.