Lyle C. Axthelm

Friday, August 12, 2005

July 21, 1928--Aug. 9, 2005

Ellensburg, Wash. -- Lyle C. Axthelm, 77, died Tuesday (Aug. 9, 2005) at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital in Ellensburg, Wash.

He was born in Hallam on July 21, 1928, to Milton H. and Anna (Sothan) Axthelm. He graduated from high school in Crete in 1944.

He served in the U.S. Air Force as a photographer from 1951 to 1954, being stationed in both Germany and France.

He married Delores "Dee" Luekens on March 25, 1956, in Denver, Colo. They lived in McCook until 1966. The couple then made their home in Billings, Mont., until their move to Ellensburg, Wash., in 2000.

He was employed with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as a draftsman and photographer for 40 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Orel.

Survivors include his wife, Dee; two sons, Keith and wife, Sheri Axthelm of Ellensburg, Wash., and Roger and wife, Shana Axthelm of Portland, Ore.; one brother, Deon and wife, Betty Axthelm of Springfield, Mo.; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be Monday (Aug. 29, 2005), 2 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg, Wash. Private burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg, Wash.

Memorials are being accepted in his name at the Ellensburg Fire Fighter's Life Support Fund (102 N. Pearl, Ellensburg, WA 98926), the American Diabetes Association or the charity of the donor's choice.