Lyle Floyd Templer

Templer, Lyle Floyd
Age 91, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024. Lyle, a beloved father, devoted husband, kindest friend, and loyal pet owner to his dear Zoey, was originally from Manhattan, Kansas, but was a MN resident for 55 years.
Lyle was born on November 3, 1933, to Charles Adrian Templer and Clara Elizabeth (Wickstrom) Templer. He graduated from Manhattan High School in 1951, and in his youthful years he established leadership and service skills with his involvement in both Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts.
As Lyle's education continued, he received a BS in history and political science from Kansas State University in 1955. A lifelong member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, Lyle was active in Pep Club, and with his leadership skills, became president of the organization in his senior year. He also enrolled in KSU's ROTC Rifle Club both freshman and sophomore years, and earned an Expert Rifleman Medal during his involvement in the ROTC, preparing him well for his enlistment in the U.S. Army following his graduation in 1955.
Lyle served his country with distinction, and after basic training was assigned to Fort Bliss, TX, where he went to NIKE Guided Missile School. Later, his unit established a NIKE Missile Site in Waukesha, WI, set up to guard Chicago during the cold war years to thwart any Soviet bomber attacks. Lyle also earned an Expert Rifleman Badge while in Waukesha. Discharged from Active Duty in 1957, Lyle transferred to Active Reserve from 1957-1959, and remained on Inactive Reserve until his discharge as Sergeant Templer in 1961.
Lyle always kept alive a dream to become an FBI agent, and because this job required a law degree, in 1958 Lyle enrolled in law school at Washburn Law School in Topeka, KS. Although Lyle chose not to finish law school, the knowledge he gleaned greatly benefitted him throughout his successful 36-year career at Federated Mutual Insurance Company. After law school, in 1960 Lyle was hired by Federated in the claims department. That same year in November, Lyle married Kay Christenson. Working out of the Kansas City office, Lyle traveled as an adjuster in central and southern, Missouri, working his way up to claims supervisor. After that, Lyle was a resident adjuster in Wichita, KS.
In 1967, Lyle became claims manager in the Jackson Mississippi Federated office. That same year, Lyle and Kay welcomed a daughter, Michelle, who they loved and raised to be an independent and self-assured woman. In the fall of 1969, Lyle and family moved to Owatonna, MN, where his expertise in supervisory positions culminated in his promotion to the home office of Federated Insurance there.
Since leadership roles suited Lyle especially well in his career, he was drawn to leadership as well in his Owatonna community life. Lyle chaired fundraising drives at his church and chaired the United Way fundraising at Federated. Lyle was a member of the Lions Club, the Elks Club, served as president in Toastmasters, and served several years on the Owatonna Parks and Recreation Board.
After Kay's death from lung cancer in 1992, Lyle fell in love again and married Joan (Ruths) Hollinger in 1994. Lyle often expressed his gratitude for his married life with Joan, and the renewed life and love of life he experienced with her. Together they watched their new home being constructed in Lakeville, MN, and another leadership opportunity presented itself, as Lyle served 23 years on the Somerset Townhome Association Board of Directors.
Lyle and Joan lived life to the fullest, enjoying adventurous travel in the U.S. and abroad. When hiking in the Swiss Alps and traveling in Germany, Lyle and Joan were joined by Lyle's sisters, Karen and Terri. To celebrate Joan and Lyle's common Irish ancestry, a trip to Ireland was an especially meaningful vacation. Other adventures included: a Caribbean cruise; two vacations in Italy, and biking with the Owatonna Weakenders. Every January for 18 years, Joan and Lyle enjoyed cross-country skiing with dear friends Diane and Buck, and together the couples admired nature's beauty, skiing along the Gunflint Trail, and sharing good times together at Bearskin Lodge. Joan and Lyle stayed active with travel, golf, dance, friends, and family.
Lyle has had many passions in his life, the most prominent of which is his love for the mountains of Colorado, often enjoying downhill and cross-country ski trips there. Lyle also loved hiking in the mountains, reaching the summits of six 14,000-foot mountains with his brother-in-law, Richard. After Lyle's retirement in 1996, he did not cease to amaze: he completed his many years of ski races, which he had commenced several years before, competing in 21 years of skiing the American Birkebeiner in Wisconsin and skiing for many years in the Mora Vasaloppet.
Lyle shared his love for skiing by teaching a cross-country ski class for 12 years for Owatonna's community education department. In retirement, Lyle also ran the "Rock and Roll" marathon (26.2 miles) in San Diego, CA, two Twin City marathons in MN, and ran two half marathons. Truly Lyle's life was one that was well-lived.
Lyle is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Clara (Wickstrom) Templer and Kay Frances (Christenson) Templer. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Joan, his daughter Michelle, and his sisters Karen (Richard) Haas, Terri (John) Schmitz, and sister-in-law Kathy (Cletus) Johnson, along with many wonderful nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
On December 18, the family welcomes relatives and friends to celebrate and honor Lyle's life at All Saints Catholic Church (952)469-4481, located at 19795 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville, MN, 55044. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:30 a.m. For those who are unable to attend in person, the Mass will be livestreamed on the church's website. A luncheon will follow the Mass. An interment service with a military honor guard will be attended by immediate family only, and will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Waterville, MN.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Lyle to MN Humane Society, 475 N. Cleveland Ave. Suite 100B, St. Paul, MN 55104 (651)665-9311 #8.
View Livestream Service Here: https://www.youtube.com/@allsaintschurchlakeville