On the morning of April 15, 2022, Lyle passed away in his sleep. He had been struggling to recover from a fall that fractured his hip and other health problems finally took their toll while being attended by his grandson, Clint Pullman, and hospice care at Golden Options Care Assisted Living in Montana City, MT. Lyle was 87 years old.
Lyle C. I. Myhr, Sr., was born in the town of Crosby, North Dakota, in Divide County on November 23, 1934. He was the only child of Oliver Alexander Iver Hippe Myhr and Lillian Bernice Myhr (Christianson). Both parents came from strong pioneering families of Norwegian descent. Lyle was extremely proud of his Viking heritage.
In 1936 the young couple loaded up 2-year old Lyle and drove to York, MT. They built a small cabin right on the banks of Trout Creek. Oliver worked for several years in the logging and sawmilling industries and later the railroad while Lillian tended to the home and raising Lyle. She took photos of him constantly while he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and everything outdoors.
Lyle also loved music. In 1945 Lyle’s grandmother, Sophie Christianson (Lahlum), purchased him an 1888 model piano and had it delivered to the cabin in York. He played piano, trombone, and guitar well into his adult life.
Lyle attended elementary school at the small one room schoolhouse in York, MT. In 1948 when Lyle entered Helena High School (Class of ’52) his parents decided to move into Helena from their small cabin on Trout Creek in York. The family rented and lived in the Broadway Avenue area just a few short blocks from the school.
Lyle was very much an academic throughout his entire life. His yearbooks are filled with comments from friends about his ability in Latin club and getting A’s in all his classes. There were also many comments about him being a real comedian and kidder. Lyle continued to excel as a musician playing trombone in band, orchestra, and German band.
Living in Helena also afforded the family the ability to regularly attend the St. John’s Lutheran Church. Lyle celebrated confirmation on May 28, 1950, as part of the first confirmation class in the new building on Helena Avenue.
His true passion was reading and study. Access to the library changed his life and he would get lost in all of the opportunities and information that was now available to him. His home is filled with books and all of them have been read cover to cover. His impressive photographic memory stuck with him to the end and he always knew exactly where to find something in his home.
Lyle attended college at MT State College (Bozeman), Centralia Community College (WA), and Univ. of Washington (Seattle). He achieved a degree in Civil Engineering. He started out working for Morrison-Maierle in 1953 as a surveyor. He later worked for the MT Hwy. Dept. (9 yrs) and then the WA Hwy Dept. (30 yrs). He worked on drafting highway designs, planning, and appraising right-of-way projects along the I-5 corridor. He was very proud of his career and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. He always said you should love what you do. He retired Oct. 1, ’92.
During that time Lyle had a parallel career serving in the MT and WA National Guards. He enlisted in April of 1952 while still in high school. He ended his service in 1966. He was very proud of his service to country but also very secretive about his involvements.
Lyle was twice married. In 1955 he married Violet Zagozan. The young couple had 3 children. They lived in Helena and a short while in Butte until Aug. 1962 when Lyle was hired by the WA Hwy Dept. The family moved to Tukwila, WA and later built a large home that Lyle designed himself in Olympia which shortened his work commute to about 3 miles.
After divorcing in 1977 Lyle enjoyed his life as a bachelor for many years. He was very eccentric. He enjoyed playing with “big boy toys” as he would call them. He loved woodworking and organizing his massive penny collection which ended up around 1.1 million coins all organized by year and mint! He was also an avid bowler and on 3/11/84 he bowled a 296 game in a state tournament. He also enjoyed exploring and taking trips on his Kawasaki KZ1100 Motorcycle.
He remarried again to Jan Meyers in 1989 but unfortunately divorced again in 2000. In 2003, Lyle returned to his boyhood home in MT and built “Trails End” overlooking Canyon Ferry Lake. He settled into his retirement and spent the next 20 years puttering around his 22-acre property and helping his elderly mother Lillian who lived on their Trout Creek property until she died at age 94 in 2009. He kept a close eye on world events and conservative politics. He was quite reclusive during this time of his life. He was joined by his companion, Elvira “Rocky” Morris.
Lyle lived a long and full life. He enjoyed his time on earth and we know he will enjoy his eternity in Heaven. Until we meet again, you will be missed Grandpa.
Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver A. I. H. Myhr (Killed on Nov. 29, 1973 working for the railroad while blasting a new road bed on McDonald Pass), Lillian B. Myhr (7/21/09); Daughter Jewell Sue Myhr (8/25/61); Son, Lyle C. I. Myhr Jr. (9/26/18).
Lyle is survived by his daughter, Nina M. Pullman of Helena; Grandson Levi Pullman (Kerry) and their boys Kody and Tyler of Missouri; Grandson Clint Pullman (Kimala) and their son Alexander and daughter Hayden of Clancy, MT; Granddaughter Tiana Pullman of Rochester, WA; Adopted Granddaughter Tami Rodarte (Steven) and their children Jaden, Elijah, and Aubree of Texas; Companion Elvira “Rocky” Morris.
Lyle requested to be cremated and asked to have his remains placed with his son Lyle Jr. at the MT Veterans Cemetery. A portion will also be placed with his parents at East Writing Rock Church Cemetery in Fortuna, ND and the York Cemetery on the hill above his childhood home on Trout Creek. He did not wish to have a formal service. Any memorial donations could be sent to the York Historical Society, 6040 Nelson Road, Helena, MT 59602.
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