Lyle Eilert Israelsen

Lyle Eilert Israelsen
Lyle Eilert Israelsen, devoted husband to ‘his Nancy’ (Marianna), peacefully left this life surrounded by family on February 17, 2010 at the age of 88. Lyle was a beloved friend and scoutmaster, fiercely patriotic WWII PBY pilot, former mayor of North Logan and loving father and grandfather to a family of 185.
He was born in Burley, Idaho on August 10, 1921 to Eva and Victor Israelsen. He and his family moved to Hyrum, Utah in 1922 and there he attended school at the Lincoln Elementary and South Cache High School. It was in Hyrum as a Boy Scout that he began his lifetime love of scouting.
After graduation from high school, he studied at Utah State University until he enlisted in the Navy V-5 program to serve his country in WWII. He received his commission as a Naval Aviator in April, 1944. He was miraculously granted brief leave in order to return to Utah to marry his hometown sweetheart, Nancy Crookston, on Oct. 9, 1944 in the Logan LDS Temple. He then returned to serve for 5 years in the Navy, and throughout his life patiently bore the scars and injuries he received serving his country. Following his service, he again enrolled at Utah State and studied Mechanical Drawing and Building Construction.
Lyle worked for Cache Valley Breeding Association for 20 years, traveling to Valley dairy farms to help build and improve herds with quality calves and improved milk production.
Lyle then worked as an oil distributor for Shaeffer Mfg, then as a factory representative with United Lubricants. His friendly honorable nature soon made him a favorite with his customers. In 1993, he and his brother Glen formed their own oil distributorship, Roundup Enterprises, serving farms and ranches throughout Utah, Wyoming and Southern Idaho.
He and Nancy were blessed with twelve children; Lyle Dwight (Jill) N. Logan, Laurence Douglas (Karen Wayda) Salt Lake City, Jeanne Harrison (Keith) Parowan, Laurie Ballam (Michael) Logan, Mark Crookston (Toi) Draper, Ned Alma (Cynthia) Escondido, CA, John Alan, N.Logan, Lila Geddes (Doyle) N. Logan, Eve Jones (Randy) Brigham City, Richard Dell (Libby) Mesquite, NV, James Eric (Melinda Hillegass) Hyde Park, and Bonnie Erickson (Steven) Roseau, MN.
Lyle was an extraordinary, fun loving father, delighting his children with many adventures including camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. A skilled outdoorsman and horseman, he regularly led 50 mile expeditions into the Windriver wilderness, where he shared his love of nature with his family, scouts and friends. He showered his wife and children with an assortment of pets of all kinds to tend. He was never too busy to take a child or grandchild onto his knee for a bear hug or rendition of one of his favorite songs or stories. He established a small farm at their North Logan home, a happy place where his children learned responsibility and the value of hard work.
An avid Scouter for over 35 years, he helped hundreds of young men build skills and character and mentored many future Scoutmasters. In 1983 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award and later the Scouting Award of Merit.
Noted for his quick wit and tireless sense of humor, Lyle was always surrounded by a group of friends hoping to hear one of his famous jokes and many became the recipient of his good natured pranks. He maintained this life- long reputation as a jokester until the final hours of his life, and knew the perfect time to ease a tense situation with one of his jokes.
Lyle was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions including Seventies President, Sunday School President, MIA President, High Priest leader and Sunday School teacher. He was also very active in the Lions Club where he served as president.
He was passionate about his community and country, and served as Mayor of North Logan for 4 years. He gave countless hours to civic projects, most recently the Pumpkin Walk where he and Nancy were indispensible. He kept current with the intricacies of politics throughout his life and couldn’t go to bed at night without his political briefing via TV.
The biggest passion of Lyle’s life was his beloved wife Nancy. He rarely left the house without giving her a big hug and kiss and never let a special occasion pass without a romantic horseback ride together in the hills, a beautiful tender card with his devoted sentiments, or a pretty flower on the kitchen table. Together they built and maintained a lovely mountain home near Beaver Mountain, a haven for their family and countless others with whom they generously shared. They were inseparable and devoted to each other since they met 72 years ago.
Lyle’s brothers and sisters are Floyd V., Eva Fay Anderson, C. Earl, Glen A., Dee B., Wanee Welch and Wanda Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Eva Israelsen, and his brother, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the North Logan Green Canyon LDS Stake Center, 1850 North 400 East. A viewing will be held at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the Church on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Logan City Cemetery with military honors by the South Cache American Legion.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net