Lyle Anthony Lamphier

1921 - 2012

STRAWBERRY POINT - Lyle A. Lamphier, 90, of Strawberry Point and formerly of Oelwein, died Saturday morning, March 24, 2012 at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, with the Rev. Harry Koelker officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, with military graveside rites conducted by Lundbye-Carpenter American Legion Post 245 of Maynard.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein, where there will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a parish scripture service at 7:30 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established in his name. Memorials and condolences may be sent to Janice Lamphier, c/o Strawberry Point Lutheran Home, 313 Elkader St., Strawberry Point, IA 52076.
Online obituary at: www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com
Lyle Anthony Lamphier and twin brother Leonard Lamphier were born Sept. 12, 1921 at Volga, Iowa to Oscar and Mable (Staffenhagen) Lamphier. He graduated from Volga City High School at Volga, and attended Elkader Junior College until he was called to service. Lyle was an Army veteran of World War II serving in the African Conflict under General Patton and was wounded and given an honorable discharge. Lyle married Janice Stempfle on June 14, 1944 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, by the Rev. E.J. O'Hagen. He worked at Star Clothing Store in Oelwein for five years before farming in the Randalia area.
Lyle was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein, Farm Bureau, a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus Oelwein Council No. 1168 member, and a member of the Lundbye-Carpenter American Legion Post No. 245 of Maynard.
Lyle loved people, his family, jokes and storytelling, the outdoors and fishing, playing cards, sports - especially the Chicago Cubs - and donating his time as "Santa" in the Oelwein area for many years. Lyle and Janice moved from Oelwein to the Gernand Center at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home in 2006.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 67 years Janice Lamphier of Strawberry Point; six children, Judy (Dick) Sandell of Fenton, Mich., Joan (Leo) Steffen of Maynard, Jan (Tim) Byrnes of Mesa, Ariz., John (Donna) Lamphier of Marion, Jeanette (T.J.) Berninghaus of Atlanta, Ga., and Craig (Jarnel) Lamphier of Altoona; daughter-in-law Carole Lamphier of Cedar Rapids; 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; and a brother Don (Artis) Lamphier of Oelwein.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Mike Lamphier; a grandson Shane; daughter-in-law Amy; four brothers, Francis, Erwin, Orville and his twin brother Leonard; and two sisters, Hazel Barnes and Rowena Smith.
He was loved by his family and friends. His smile and stories will never be forgotten.