Lyle Everett DeGraw

Lyle E. DeGraw, 80, of Rockford, IA, passed Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, May 27, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church, Mason City, with the Rev. Kathy Moore officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 PM Thursday at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials may be directed to the Lyle DeGraw Memorial Fund in care of his family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com

Lyle was born January 16, 1936 the son of Edward G. and Vera E. (Baumgartner) DeGraw on the family farm in rural Rockford, Iowa. He graduated from Nora Springs High School with the class of 1954 and later went on to Iowa State University, graduating in 1956.

On August 23, 1959 Lyle was united in marriage to Rosemary Strahm in Decatur, Indiana. The couple has been blessed by three children. After farming north of Mason City, Lyle and Rosemary felt the calling to serve the Lord by working at Red Bird Mission, in southeastern Kentucky, the site of their first meeting. They began as boys dorm parents, then served as work camp supervisors and worked in maintenance. After five years of mission work, the family returned to the Mason City area so Lyle could farm and raise sheep with his father.
Lyle worked as a painter at Brakke Implement for 27 years. Over the years Lyle served the local Boy Scout troop and 4H group as a leader, and was involved with Habitat for Humanity. Lyle served on the Farmers Coop Board and the Cerro Gordo County Extension Council, and volunteered at the Lime Creek Nature Center. He was a proud supporter of the North Iowa Dirt Riders and Trees Forever. Lyle was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed his church family very much. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's many activities, visiting with friends, and collecting toy farm tractors. Lyle's genuine smile and positive attitude were ready for everyone he met.

Those thankful for having shared in Lyle’s life include his wife, Rosemary, children, Joseph (Yvonne) DeGraw, Stephen (Judy) DeGraw, Sarah (Mang) Thao, two sisters, Laura Shanks, Ruth (Ken) Rice, brother, Harold “Hal” (Barbara) DeGraw, six grandchildren, Joshua, Mackenzie, Beth, Kristina DeGraw, Cael and Ephraim Thao and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. DeGraw was preceded in death by his parents and one brother in law, Howard Shanks.