Kenneth Arthur Lytle, 86
Kenneth Arthur Lytle was born July 28, 1922, to Melvin and Ruth (Fry) Lytle in Somers, and passed away on April 17, 2009, at The Springs at Whitefish from heart failure.
Raised and educated in Kalispell and the oldest of the family, Ken went to work full time at age 14 to help support his mother and siblings. He was later a member of the CCCs, and in 1943 was inducted into the U.S. Army and served as a surgical technician in New Guinea and the southern Philippines. He was a decorated soldier and was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
On April 27, 1946, Kenny married his sweetheart, Laura Thompson, in Whitefish where they built their home and raised their daughters. Ken worked in the timber industry and also helped in the building of Hungry Horse Dam. After 20-plus years with Superior Lumber Company in Columbia Falls, Ken retired to do what he loved most; fishing, camping, reading and gardening. A devoted husband, he cared for his ailing wife in her final years.
Ken loved telling stories about the lean times of his youth, his hunting trips, and the many fishing adventures and, later in life, the tales of war. Most of his adult life Ken had a dog to spoil, and now leaves Dusty behind.
He always tried to make time for VFW, American Legion and the Moose Lodge.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 62 1/2 years; his parents; his sister, Ruby Shupert; and a son-in-law, Philip Rygg.
Survivors include his daughters, Charlene Rygg, and Judy and her husband, Larry Campbell; his grandchildren whom he was so proud of, Kevin Duff, Amanda and husband Mike Caldwell, Becky and husband Dennis Moulton and Jeff Weyh and wife Leslie, as well as Becky Rygg and John Rygg; stepgrandsons, Jason and Brett Campbell, and Adam Noble. Surviving great-granddaughters are Azlyn Caldwell and Jessica and Alyse Sena. Ken's three brothers, Melvin and wife, Charlene Lytle, Robert Lytle and Terry Rich also survive him; along with many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish, with military graveside rites following at the Whitefish Cemetery. A reception at the Whitefish Moose Lodge will follow at 4:30 p.m. Cremation has taken place and the family suggests donations to the Veterans' Food Bank or other area food banks.