Lyle Oechsle

Lyle Eugene Oechsle was 84 when he passed away on May 29, 2013 after a long struggle with cancer. He died at his home in Grand Forks with his wife Lois and his friend Don at his side. Lyle was born October 17, 1928 in Peoria, Illinois, the only child of Julius and Elsie (Swartzbaugh) Oechsle. He graduated from George Williams College in Chicago with a degree in Group Work Administration, and then studied at the University of Illinois which led to a Master of Education degree. He served in the U.S. Army in Olso, Norway, attached to NATO command. In 1965 he married Lois Hall Jahn and helped to raise her three children to adulthood. He later became very involved in the lives of his three grandsons. Lyle's entire professional career was spent with the YMCA. He started as Program Director in Champaign, Illinois, served in executive positions in New Jersey, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and finished as Executive Director of the Grand Forks Y Family Center. He retired in 1991 after 17 years of service. In retirement Lyle continued to be very active in volunteer work. He was a 50 year member of Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow), a volunteer at the Marco Health Care Center on Marco Island, Florida, and also served regularly at the Bargain Basket for the United Church of Christ, Marco Island. Lyle is survived by his wife, Lois Hall Oechsle; step-children Eric Jahn (Ruth), Wayzata, MN, Gretchen Jahn (Karl Sutterfield), Denver, CO, and Dana Jahn, Twin Falls, ID; grandchildren Paul Jahn, Stephen Jahn, and Andrew Jahn; and cousins George Peterson and Francis Lindstrom. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 11 at 10:30 am at First Presbyterian Church, 5555 S. Washington, Grand Forks. Memorials can be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Grand Forks (Endowment Fund), Grand Forks YMCA Endowment Fund, and Altru Health Foundatio