Lyle M. "Pops" Teel

1924 - 2021

CENTRAL CITY - Lyle M. Teel, 96, of Central City died Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City with Pastor Nick Owens officiating. Burial will be at the Central City Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to the Comstock Den or Valley View Country Club. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.
Lyle was born in Nebraska City on Sept. 1, 1924, to Charles and Clara (Thoms) Teel. On July 17, 1944, he married M. Maxine Alkire. They were married for 72 years.
Lyle, "Pops" as his grandchildren nicknamed him, was the third of six children born to Charles and Clara Teel. He was raised in Nebraska City and graduated from Nebraska City High School. He and his high school sweetheart eloped to Kansas on July 17, 1945. He joined the Army and was honorably discharged on Nov. 22, 1946. Early in the marriage, Lyle worked in various jobs in Nebraska City. In 1952, the family moved to Hastings, where Lyle worked for Thompson Candy Company. In 1956, the family moved to Broken Bow, where Lyle managed Teel Liquor, Gateway Motel, Pleasure Lanes Bowling Alley and the Broken Bow Country Club.
Lyle loved Maxine dearly and spent many years caring for her when she could no longer care for herself. He loved his children, life, the outdoors and all sports. He found his passion in managing golf courses and playing golf. In 1957, Lyle tied for first place in the state amateur golf tournament held at Happy Hollow Country Club in Omaha. The next day he lost to Dick Spangler from Lincoln in the playoff. In 1966, Lyle placed second in a local qualifying tournament in Lincoln and qualified to try out for the U.S. Open Tournament District tryouts in Denver. Lyle won many golf tournaments around Nebraska. He was the pro at Kearney Country Club and Valley View Country Club in Central City, in addition to Broken Bow Country Club. At 94 years of age, he was still swinging his golf clubs, although he complained mightily about his score.
Lyle played an integral part in establishing the Nebraska Seniors golf league and served as president for a year. He started all the golf leagues at Valley View Country Club. In addition, he was a volunteer fireman in Broken Bow and active in the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame, serving as President in 1992 and 1993.
Survivors include daughters, Kay Hodge of Kearney and Kathy (Dennis) Johnson of Comstock; sons, Lyle L. (Laura) of Crete and Randy (Barbara) of Central City; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grand-
children.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine; granddaughter, Sydnee Owens; parents; brothers, Dean, Charles, Eugene and Merlin; and his sister, Ramona Webber.