Lyle B. Johnson
Lyle B. Johnson, age 61, of Colby, passed away, coincidentally and appropriately, on Veterans’ Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025 at the Marshfield Medical Center. A funeral service was held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 at First United Church of Christ in Colby. Reverend Teri Hanson officiated. Interment followed with Military Honors provided by the Colby VFW Post #2227 at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the church. A meal was provided after the burial. The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Colby was entrusted with the arrangements.
Lyle’s life was characterized by service to his family, his community and his country. He was born on Feb. 22, 1964 in Medford, the 2nd child of Peter and IdaMae (Sieffert) Johnson, and he grew up in Curtiss Wisconsin. He began working at Suttner’s Cheese right out of high school while also enlisting in the Army National Guard in 1982. Lyle intended to make the military his career, enlisting in the US Army in 1984, stationed in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. However he was discharged due to physical disability in 1989. After leaving the military, Lyle returned to working at Suttner’s Cheese, and began volunteering at the Curtiss (Owen-Withee) fire department and in the local Jaycees. He met his future wife at the Olde Saloon in Curtiss in
1964-2025
May 1991. Lyle and Katie (Hetchler) married on Jan. 9, 1994 in Las Vegas, and Lyle joined Katie in Oshkosh. In order to support his wife while she was in college, he switched into a new career, becoming an over-theroad truck driver with J Bauer Trucking. After a few years, he again returned to working at Suttner’s. When cheesemaking was no longer an option, Lyle switched careers again, becoming a certified nursing assistant at the Clark County Health Care Center, and worked on the challenging men’s locked unit. In the meantime, Lyle and Katie became parents to three children, both through adoption and birth. Lyle volunteered for the local Boy Scouts troop and the Abbotsford Christmas Parade. He retired from working as a CNA after more than a decade of providing care in very challenging situations, and only stopped working entirely after medical conditions made continuing to work impossible.
Lyle was a proud veteran, enjoyed watching trains go by, assembling model trains and listening to music, and he enjoyed good craft beer. He loved hunting and fishing, and was happiest when he was at his cabin or on a lake. He was incredibly proud of his children, and loved his wife deeply. He was a kind, generous and patient man who will be dearly missed.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 31 years, Katie; three children, Benjamin “Bhin”, Parker and Olivia; three siblings, Bill (Liz) Johnson, of Florida, Jenny (Ron) Habermeyer, of Rib Lake and Kim (Donald) Hederer, of Ogema. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.
Paid Obituary 176787
