Lyle Swenson, beloved dad, grandpa, teacher, and friend, died on December 3, 2014. Lyle was born on January 30, 1937 in Coteau, North Dakota, the youngest son of Sigurd and Sophie (Sorlie) Swenson. Lyle grew up in Polson Montana with his brothers, Dean and Ernest. Lyle graduated from Polson High School in 1955 and from Northern Montana College in 1961. Lyle began his long teaching career in Roberts Montana in 1961. Lyle married Janet Nelson in 1966, and a year later their son, Bill, was born. Lyle and family moved to Terry Montana in 1969 where daughters Melaney and Lisa were born.
Lyle was a strong and generous father. Lyle worked very hard to support his family and help his children realize their dreams. Lyle’s young grandsons, Colton and Bryson, brought him tremendous joy in the final years of his life. Lyle taught shop to thousands of students during a teaching career that spanned over 40 years. Called “Coach” by many students, Lyle also taught the values of hard work and integrity. Lyle also taught Hunter’s Education for over 30 years. Lyle and Janet were very involved in the community. Lyle served as president of the Terry Teacher’s Association and on the board of Prairie Community Hospital. Lyle spent many hours helping out friends and neighbors by sharing his mechanical and carpentry abilities. Lyle was a kind and loyal friend to many throughout the years. Lyle’s dry sense of humor was appreciated by all who spent time with him.
Lyle is survived by his son, Bill Swenson, of Scappoose, OR; daughter Melaney Swenson of Belgrade, MT; daughter Lisa Lowery of Roundup, MT; brother Ernest Swenson of Reno, NV; and sister-in-law Lezlie Nelson of Livingston, MT. He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Janet Swenson, and his brother Dean Swenson.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Memorials can be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 9, 2014
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 9, 2014
Community Presbyterian Church
Terry, Montana 59349
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Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Swenson family~ We were so very sorry to hear that your dad and a great friend and teacher had passed away. He has always been one of our favorites! Lon and our our son Thane had him for a teacher, and Thane said in his salutatorian article in The Terry Tribune that his ideal day at school would be in the shop with Mr. Swenson overhauling an engine and eating donuts! Because he taught our son how to weld in high school, he was able to actually teach a college and adult welding class in college to earn money while working toward his mechanical engineering degree. As a teacher at the school with him, I always looked forward to visiting with him. His eyes would light up whenever he talked about his children. One of my favorite memories of your Dad was when asked, ” How’s it going, Mr. Swenson?”, his reply was always, “Just another day in paradise.” We hope that the paradise he is now in with your mom is even more fulfilling than the one they lived in here on earth. He will be fondly remembered and missed by so many who loved him as a friend, colleague, teacher and coach! May God surround you with his peace and comfort beyond all understanding.
Lon and Vicki Reukauf
Peggy Wilson Latrielle says
To Mr. Swenson’s Family,
Certain people lead extra special lives, so that even after their passing, the ripple effect of their spirit remains for many years to come. Lyle Swenson was one of those special people. He touched the lives of so many who will remember him with affection and respect.
Peggy Wilson Latrielle
rachel harrell says
So sorry for your loss he was a great man rip and I hope your having a great time in heaven mr swenson
Lisa Lowery says
Grandfather
by Unknown Author
Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul’s sweet flight.
I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed.
For all those many years.
There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts,
In your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.
Walt and Linda Koehler says
We have so many memories of Lyle it is hard to share just one. We built two houses in Terry and more than once Walt would call Lyle to get advice and Lyle, busy man that he always was, would come right over and help solve ‘the problem’… He shared his talents with everyone. I loved taking adult shop and he was so patient with me. I learned so much from him…. also, Lyle was Chairman of the Hospital Board and I was the Clerk and his method of ‘leading’ the board was pretty unique. RIP old friend….
Tom & Bernice Buckingham says
Lyle was truly one of a kind, a very special teacher. We both have good memories of his classes.
Willis bartholomay says
To Mr. Swenson’s Family, Just wanted to say what a neat and talented guy Lyle was – with a [ DRY ] sense of humor. On one of my first projects at coffee someone asked what I was doing – I said still sanding
Mr. Swenson told them “He’s been rubbing on it with paper towels for two days and doesn’t know the difference . ” RIP My Friend. Willis Bartholomay & Family
Allen Stone and Family says
To the Swenson Family,
We will all miss your father. He was a great man and great friend to all. We will always remember him and his coffee breaks at the “Fort”.
Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Allen Stone Family
Charles Deisher says
To Lyle’s family:
I will always remember Lyle as a mentor in my first years of teaching, and a pleasure to work with on many projects over the years. Some of his common sense advice, “….if you like to shingle, buy those $22/square (at the time) shingles.”
The stuff that he made for the school will be there for generations. In fact some of it has already been there for generations. As a former maintenance man at school said,”….you gotta listen to what Lyle recommends. It may sound like BS but sometimes it really works.” We were talking about spraying the end of florescent tubes with contact cleaner prior to installing them.
Rest in Peace, Lyle
The Deisher family.
Ron Marshall says
A good man.
My prayers go out to the family.
Rest in peace.
Ron Marshall
Ed and Jo Ann Norlin says
Some of our fondest memories are of times spent with the Swenson family.
Ken and Vicki Hess says
Some of my fondest memories of high school were from shop class. What a class guy.
Mike Strasheim says
Those of us that were lucky enough to have Mr.Swenson for a shop teacher will never forget Coaches “Board of Education”. We learned alot from Mr.Swenson, he will be missed.
Duane Lassle says
I have had the privilege of the friendship and direction of some outstanding men in my life…none better than “Coach”….RIP Mr. Swenson
Dean Ashley says
To Lyle’s family I would like to say how sorry we were to hear about his passing. I had the honor to not only have Lyle as a teacher but also as a fellow teacher. Lyle’s “board of education” definitely motivated me to get my assignments done. I could never tell the difference between the impact of his swats when he gave you a choice of “little ones” or “big ones”, it all stung the same. We could use a little of Lyle’s motivation in our schools today. I always admired Lyle for the broad range of knowledge and talents he possessed. Charles is right, whatever Lyle built, was built to last. If I learned anything from Lyle when I taught with him was to have a sense of humor. His dry sense of humor was priceless. He was a good man, with a big heart and he will be missed. RIP Lyle, you will definitely be missed.
Dean and Sue Ashley
Lynette Tague says
Lyle’s wisdom as well as his humor was so appreciated by his colleagues. Often when he was asked how his day went, his reply was “fantastic” which caused everyone to giggle because we all knew exactly what he meant. Lyle was also responsible for many of us developing a love of popcorn. May he rest in peace. Lynette Tague & family
Jeff & Vicki Makelky says
Bill and Family,
Very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Lyle was truly respected by all that spent time with him. Although I only spent a couple of years teaching with him at THS I will never forget some of our conversations in the teachers lounge. Many have mentioned his “Board of Education” and when boys in my class began to perspire I knew it was because it was “swat” day and the long johns they had under their pants were beginning to take a toll. He was the most even tempered guy I have had the pleasure of knowing.
God’s speed-
Allen Stone says
From our family lost a good friend will never be forgotten all our thoughts and prayers
Bob Lindvig says
I’m so sorry to hear of “Coaches” passing. What a special influence on my life. That “board of education” was certainly needed in my case!! I learned much more than woodworking and welding from Coach and Jan. They were very special to me. God bless them and I hope to see them again. Bob Lindvig
Myrna Kogele says
So sorry for your loss. We have lost a great guy and teacher many people and students respect to this day. I think his “board of education” was still hanging in the office when I was there.