Lyle William Pauli, 91

Lyle William Pauli died quietly in his sleep on July 13, 2009, in the extended care wing of Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. Achieving the age of 91, Lyle enjoyed a life filled with family, friendship, and was a source and example of happiness, humility and love. Possessed of an easy smile, a disarming and unassuming demeanor, and a willingness to offer praise and affection to those around him, he was a man of rare qualities "who has left us to join his wife."

Lyle was born May 24, 1918, to William and Gwen (Warner) Pauli, who were spending a brief time in Ipswitch, S.D., during threshing season. The family returned shortly thereafter to Montana, where they lived in Williams, near Valier. It was during his adolescence that he discovered he had an aptitude for mechanics and machinery, which was served well by his inventive nature and strong work ethic. Young Lyle often filled his time tinkering on various homemade gadgets, many of which were funded by sharpening saws for the local farmers and carpenters. Some of his contraptions included an ice racer with a sail he would use on Lake Francis in the winter, and an airplane constructed of wood and canvas. Although he never got the plane off of the ground, he would taxi it around his father's pasture. Demonstrating his love of a good lark, when he grew tired of the flightless plane, he removed the engine, tipped it on its nose, and lit it on fire. Neighbors who passed by were certain he had finally gotten airborne and crashed, and kept calling on his father at work to see if he was alright.

Graduating from Valier High in 1936, he continued to work and live in the area. It was during this time that a spunky woman with brown hair by the name of Zerita Pitner was hanging around with his sister Val. As love and fate would have it, the two were married on June 29, 1940, a covenant that would last 66 years.

During World War II, Lyle served in the 163rd Regiment's 41st Infantry Division, and was part of M Company, which was devoted to heavy weapons, comprised of men from the areas of Chinook, Bainville, and Harlem. He fought in the South Pacific Theater, where he began his war effort in the Southern Philippine Campaign, hopping from island to island. His service to his country ended in January of 1946 in Hiroshima, where he was a member of the first occupational force of Japan.

After the war, Lyle returned to his family in Valier, and ran his own automotive shop, while Zerita managed the home front. In 1954, the two packed up all of their worldly possessions, including their four children, Roger, Jerry, Jim and Anita, and relocated to the Flathead Valley. They moved into a house in east Evergreen, and Lyle opened his own International Harvester dealership, Pauli Implements.

Around 1972, the couple moved to a house nestled against the Stillwater River in Evergreen. It was this location that would become the epicenter for their vibrant and prized family and social life. Their backyard and deck has been the scene to countless parties and family gatherings, and when the festivities were over, oftentimes Lyle would stand on the front porch and give a friendly wave to those who left.

Lyle continued to work in the implement sales business until his retirement in the mid-1980s. When not at work Lyle and Zerita were avid RVers, and always owned a handsome camper trailer or motor home. These camper trailers always carried the loving, family-oriented atmosphere that was found in their home whereever they went, and even at the age of 91, he would still denote eras in family history by the make of trailer they owned: "Let's see, that was back when we still had the Prowler."

He was also a devout member of the Risen Christ Parish and a charter member of the Evergreen Lions.

Lyle is survived by his children, Roger and Marcia Pauli, Jerry and Colleen Pauli, Jim and Olivia Pauli, and Anita and Larry Newlin. His grandchildren include Tony Pauli, Teresa Hanley, Michael Pauli, Kacie Gallo, Jamie Lyman, Alex Shanks, Marcey McAtee, Mandy, Matthew, Cassie, and Aaron Allmaras; as well as his great-grandchildren, Dylan and Ethan Hanley, Zerita and Hope McAtee, Collin Lyman, Mackenzie Stevenson, and Rand Shanks; a sister, Kathleen Kuka; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at Risen Christ Parish in Evergreen.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Lyle's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Lyle's guest book.