Lyle Robert Severson, 81, passed away on June 14, 2023, from cancer.
Lyle was born to Arthur and Regina (Rehmann) Severson at their home in Winsted, MN on December 2, 1941. On Dec 28, 1941, he was baptized and became a child of Christ at Stockholm Lutheran Church, where he was confirmed and a life-long member.
He graduated from Cokato High School in 1960. Lyle was a darn good wrestler, football player and track athlete and fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Janice Wessman. On August 20, 1961 Lyle married Janice and to this union, two daughters were born.
Lyle went to the Minneapolis School of Business then joined the US Army in June 1961, where he served his Country while being stationed in Germany with his young family. After returning from military service, Lyle accepted a job at Mattson Building as a bookkeeper. He then joined his Father-in-law, Eldon Wessman, in business incorporating as Wessman Oil. He grew the company, in partnership with Janice, after Eldon retired in 1977. Lyle and Janice sold the business and retired from Wessman Oil in 2004.
Lyle believed strongly that when you live in a community, you give to the community. He was proud to serve 40 years on the Cokato Fire Department, 5 of those as Chief. He was a Boy Scout leader, President of the Cokato Chamber and involved in the Jaycees. Lyle was active in the Dassel-Cokato Rotary, Litchfield Male Chorus and served on the Board of Cokato Apartments and the Cokato Charitable Trust for many years. Lyle was a committed member of Stockholm Lutheran Church where he was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, served on the Church Council for 16 years and most recently was the treasurer of Brotherhood. Lyle was the Adjutant of Cokato Legion Post #209 and a member of the Honor Guard. Rarely did he say no to an opportunity to serve others.
Lyle LOVED cars. He restored several cars including a 1908 REO Gentleman’s Roadster that he drove from New London to New Brighton. He also loved fishing, auctions, travel and adventures of all kinds including making maple syrup, lighthouse keeper in Michigan and biking across Europe. He was the neighborhood animal control officer.
Survivors include Janice, his wife of 61 years; his children Nanette (Jim) Stelten and Kersten (Scott) Elverum; his grandchildren Lauren (Kyle) Svoboda, Logan Stelten, London (Luke) DeBenedetto, Lee Stelten (fiancé Thomas Gee-Hoover) and Marit Elverum; great grandchildren William and Henry Svoboda; brothers Arden (Betty) Severson and Rollie (Nancy) Severson; sister Mavis Olson; sister-in-law Ann Severson and brother-in-laws Robert Wessman and Troy (Nancy) Wessman; and many nieces and nephews.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Father-in-law Eldon Wessman; Mother-in-law Pearl Wessman; sisters Marjorie Kraft and Suzanne Severson, brothers Leland (Billie) Severson, Orville (Hannah) Severson and Merland Severson.
A funeral service will be held at Stockholm Lutheran Church (16133 County Rd 30 SW, Cokato, MN 55321) on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534